Older people targeted by courier fraud, says force

A number of elderly people have lost money after being targeted by a "courier fraud" that asked them to get involved in a false undercover operation, a force said.

Northamptonshire Police said there had been incidents in Corby, Rushden, Oundle and Wellingborough of victims being contacted by fraudsters who claimed to be from the "Met Police and Scotland Yard".

The victims were told their bank accounts had been compromised and some were asked to help the force and withdraw money.

Det Sgt Jason Gregory , from Northamptonshire Police, said "under no circumstances" would banks or police ask anyone to take out money and if people received a similar call to "have the confidence to end it".

The force said some victims were also asked to attend a money exchange to convert the currency to Euros and put the money into an envelope, with bank cards and their PIN, so it could be collected by a courier.

Gregory said: "These types of fraud offences are particularly devastating and traumatic, both emotionally and financially, with the criminals often preying on vulnerable victims.

"The criminals will utilise clever coercive and manipulative tactics to gain the victim's trust, which often involves making them feel panicked and rushed into taking actions they would not ordinarily do."

Gregory asked friends and family to talk to relatives about the risk.

"A genuine organisation will never mind you taking the time to think things over or to contact them back on a number you have verified, for example from your bank statement or payment card," he said.

He also advised that if anyone claimed to be a police officer to call the force on 101 and verify their identification.

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