Arrest as elderly woman almost tricked out of £10k

A man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after an elderly woman was nearly scammed into handing over £10,000 in cash, police said.

Posing as a police officer, the suspect reportedly rang the woman in her 80s on Wednesday claiming that counterfeit bank notes had been put into her account.

The victim was then tricked into meeting a fake courier at her home in the Graiseley area of Wolverhampton to hand over her savings.

The suspect's attempts were thwarted by members of the public who intervened and called police when he turned up to collect the cash the following day, West Midlands Police said.

A 22-year-old man remains in custody and the victim is being supported by officers, the force added.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.