‘Phone fraudsters targeting elderly’

‘Callers from abroad posing as police officers or prosecutors’

FRAUDSTERS calling from abroad are trying to con elderly people out of their savings by posing as police officers or prosecutors, the TRNC police have warned.

A statement issued from the police press office warned members of the public “not to give any consideration to such malicious people” who claim that the victims’ money is not secure and that they should transfer it to a bank account number given by the caller.

“Some unknown, ill-intentioned persons who call elderly people, especially using Turkish phone lines, and introduce themselves as a prosecutor or the police continue to defraud these elderly/retired senior citizens for high amounts,” a statement said.

“It was determined that senior citizens were defrauded because they were called, an investigation was cited and it was suggested that deposits in their bank accounts were not safe and had them transfer their money to an account number they provided. These ill-intentioned people then withdraw the money from the relevant accounts.

“Despite warnings made to our people at certain times due to such complaints received by the police, unfortunately it has been observed that malicious people continue to defraud our elderly people.

“In this context, it is strongly recommended that our elderly/ retired senior citizens be warned by their children and/or relatives not to give any consideration to such malicious people and that if they encounter such a situation, they should inform the police of the incident.”