Suspected fraudster accused of conning pensioner out of £126k
A suspected fraudster is due to appear in court charged with conning a pensioner out of more than £120,000.
Northumbria Police was alerted by the Royal Bank of Scotland to suspected fraud involving a pensioner in the Penshaw area.
It was reported that the victim, who is in his 70s, had entered his local bank and tried to transfer £20,000 to another individual’s account.
Butintakingacloserlookat the man’s account, they found that between December 2020 and April this year the victim had transferred a total of £126,000infiveseparatetransactions to three different accounts. The suspicious bank staff intervened, rejected the transaction and contacted police who launched an investigation.
Detectives learnt the man believed he was paying the accountant of a roofing companywhohadofferedtocarryout work on his home.
A 37-year-old man was subsequently arrested and later chargedwithfraudbyfalserepresentation.Heisduetoappear at Newcastle Crown Court in the coming months.
Detective Chief Inspector Sean Mcguigan said: “I would like to thank the bank for contacting us after a vulnerable man entered a branch and tried to transfer a significant sum of money.
“This was not the first time that a substantial amount had been transferred from the account,
and they absolutely did therightthingtocontactpolice and pass on their suspicions.
“A man was swiftly identified and interviewed in connection with the suspected offences, and will now answer thosechargeswhenheappears in court on a later date.”
Northumbria Police will continue to work with the banking industry offering regular training to spot fraud.
DCI Mcguigan added: “Fraudsters often target the most vulnerable in our communities so please make any loved ones, especially those living alone, aware of this type of criminality.
“Ifanybodyturnsupatyour door unannounced and offers to carry out housing renovations, be cautious – and if you haveanyconcerns,getintouch with police or Action Fraud.”
Anyone who sees anything suspicious in their communities is asked to report it to police by calling 101 or Action Fraud directly on 0300 123 2040.
Visittheirwebsitewww.actionfraud.police.uk for crime prevention advice.