Pensioner victim of phone fraud
ASOUTHPORT pensioner was conned out of a large amount of money after a phone scammer warned them about “corrupt” banking staff.
The incident took place on Thursday, May 10 when the victim received a call from a withheld number from someone claiming to be a police officer.
The caller said that their money was at risk and that officers were investigating “corrupt bank staff” and the victim needed to withdraw a large amount of money but must not discuss it with anyone.
The elderly person was also told to buy a cheap mobile phone to contact the “officers” to arrange for collection of the money to be examined.
The victim fell for the fraud and police said that “a large sum of money” was successfully transferred.
This isn’t the first time this type of scam has taken place, as another elderly victim was targeted on April 20.
He had gone into Lloyds Bank in Southport and asked to withdraw £10,000.
He had been advised to say that he wanted the money to buy a car as the staff “can’t be trusted” at the bank.
But bank staff spotted the unusual behaviour and contacted Merseyside police before any money was handed over.
Police Community Support Officers visited the bank to advise the man on how to avoid other frauds and took him back to the phone shop to have withheld numbers blocked from calling.
Police are urging people to report any suspicious calls to prevent others from falling victim.
Det Con James Wady said: “I want all residents to know that this is a scam, a police force would never contact a member of the public and ask them to transfer or withdraw any money.
“Our advice should anyone receive such a call, is not to give out any personal data and certainly do not transfer or withdraw any money – contact your bank and report it to Action Fraud.”
A police spokesperson added: “It is only thanks to the well trained bank staff who have iden- tified this as potential fraud and have prevented the loss.
“The police, alongside partners, are doing all they can to stop these incidents of fraud and to identify the offenders, unfortunately the suspects are often out of the UK and in countries where we are unable to pursue them.“
Anyone with information, or who has received a similar call, is asked to call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.