‘Police’ gang in 24k euro scam

Crooks posing as detectives have claimed another victim. This has become a rampant crime, with gangs claiming to be police officers or bank employees investigating fraud or counterfeiting. The latest person to fall victim is a 71-year-old woman from Camberwell, South London.

A caller convinced her that he was a police officer and needed help with a sting operation. She visited a bureau de change and handed over £5,000 in euros.

The crooks repeatedly came back, until she’d parted with £24,000 in total.

DC Michael Esangbedo of Southwark CID said: “This was a cruel and heartless deception practised on a vulnerable, elderly woman.” Officers are seeking a suspect described as an Asian man about 5ft 8in in his 20s.