Arrests after fraudsters pose as police officers
A 53-year-old woman from east Belfast has been charged by police investigating incidents in which fraudsters have posed as officers.
A second woman (37) was also arrested and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The 53-year-old is expected to appear in court in January.
It follows more than 120 such incidents this year in which people posing as police officers have made calls, often to older people, in which they ask for the householder’s bank details.
Fraudsters claim to be Fraud
Liaison officers and may even ask the person to leave their bank card in their post box.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Wilson of the Economic Crime Unit (ECU) said the public need to be vigilant.
“Police will never call you and ask for bank details. They will never ask you to leave a bank card in a post box.
“If you get a similar call please put the phone down and report the call via our 101 system.
“Do not provide any personal details to the caller.
“Our message is simple — never disclose your personal or banking details to anyone over the phone or online, no matter how convincing they may seem, and never allow an unauthorised person to have access to such details,” he said.
“Guarding your personal and banking details is essential.
“Never disclose them to any unauthorised person or allow anyone access to them via your computer.
“If you have received a call of this kind or are concerned by the intent of unsolicited calls, emails or letters then please report it to Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040, or call police on the non-emergency number 101.”
Earlier this month the PSNI revealed that almost £20,000 was lost to scammers in Northern Ireland in a 24-hour period.
It i ncluded a man being conned out of £5,000 after being contacted by someone claiming to be from Amazon and another man scammed into purchasing £700 worth of vouchers via an email.
One woman was scammed out of £6,000 and an older male also lost the same amount after they were both contacted by someone pretending to be from their bank regarding a security issue.
For further advice and information visit www.nidirect.gov. uk/scamwiseni or search scamwiseni on Facebook.