Warning as couple hit by £6,000 ‘fake police’ scam

PEOPLE are urged to be wary of a phone scam in which offenders pretend to be police to trick victims into withdrawing large sums of cash.

Dorset Police has received several reports of fraudsters calling residents in a bid to get the money handed over to a courier “for safe keeping”.

Each time the caller has claimed to be from a police force and told their intended victim that their bank accounts have been compromised.

One recent incident saw a couple in their 70s called by a man who said he was a detective inspector and told them to withdraw two sums of £3,000 and read him the serial numbers.

He informed them the notes were counterfeit and a courier, a man described as of Indian or Pakistani descent, with his face covered by a black scarf, took the cash away.

North and East Dorset Neighbourhood Policing Team Insp. Simon Perry said: “If you are in any doubt, hang up and call your bank directly.”