More than £170k lost by residents in sophisticated two-step scam

MORE than £170,000 has been lost by residents in the Dyfed-powys Police area who are being targeted by a new sophisticated method of fraud.

Police warn criminals are using a two-step approach that starts with a mobile phone text message, usually claiming to be delivery firm DPD, Royal Mail or is Covid-19 related.

Regardless of what people do with this text, they will receive a phone call a few days later from someone claiming to be their bank informing them that a recent text has compromised their account.

The fraudsters will look to convince people that the text they received a few days ago has caused suspicious activity on their bank account.

They will claim that the account is no longer safe and that their money needs to be moved in to a ‘safe’ account.

This ‘safe’ account belongs to the criminals and once transferred, the money is gone.

This new, sophisticated method has seen several residents across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire falling victim to it.

DC Gareth Jordan, from Dyfedpowys’ Economic Crime Team, said: “They are using the fraudulent text messages that we have unfortunately become accustomed to and adding an extra step, which appears to be a totally separate interaction.

“This extra layer disarms you and potentially puts every member of the public at risk, not just those considered vulnerable or less aware of fraud.

“It’s important that everyone in our communities becomes aware of this method as it could target anyone in our force area and across the country.

“It is crucial that people spread the word about this type of fraud and continue to remain as safe as possible.”