Fraud scheme stops scams worth £5.5m

ALMOST £5.5million of fraud has been prevented in Scotland by a new scheme in which bank staff alert the police to potential victims.

Under the Banking Protocol, which was introduced last March, bank workers contact the police if customers request unusual withdrawals or transfers.

A total of 19 arrests were made and £5,490,397 of fraud was prevented in 2018 through the scheme.

Police Scotland said officers responded to 815 emergency calls and the majority of victims were aged 65 or over.

Scams involved include online fraud, rogue traders and ‘romance fraud’ – a con trick which involves false romantic intentions.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, Police Scotland’s lead on specialist crime and intelligence, said: ‘The Banking Protocol has generated real tangible benefits to assist the most vulnerable members of our communities.

‘Through the efforts by the banks involved and the actions of the police officers responding, we have ensured customers have been protected from nearly £5.5million of fraud in 2018.’