High-tech scam costs hospice up to £600k

‘The theft is truly despicable’

FRAUDSTERS stole hundreds of thousands of pounds from a Scots hospice in a ‘vishing’ scam, police said yesterday.

Highland Hospice was among a series of organisations in the area targeted last month.

The Inverness charity is believed to have had between £400,000 and £600,000 stolen from its account.

In total, in scams over 11 days, fraudsters netted almost £2.5million, some of which has been recovered.

Police investigators say there have also been attempts to steal money from other hospices using the same methods.

‘Vishing’ fraudsters tell targets their bank account has been compromised and persuade victims to transfer money to a ‘safe account’.

Yesterday, Kenny Steele, chief executive officer of Highland Hospice, branded the theft, between July 19 and July 30, as ‘truly despicable’.

He said: ‘The money we had in the account was raised to help care for people who are at the end of their days.’

He added: ‘We have put in additional security measures and we are working with the police and banking authorities to work on recovery of the funds and track the perpetrators.’

Detective Inspector Iain McPhail, of the Economic Crime and Financial Investigation Unit, said: ‘To defraud money from a charity with the primary purpose of providing palliative care is utterly disgraceful.

‘We are carrying out a thorough investigation into this incident and other businesses involved. We are also working with the companies’ banks as part of the investigation and to recover the money taken.’