Over £20,000 stolen by fraudsters posing as Gloucestershire police
Public warned as scammers target vulnerable individuals
Fraudsters have stolen over £20,000 from an elderly woman by posing as Gloucestershire police officers.
The scam involves individuals impersonating officers from the fraud department, convincing victims to part with large sums of money.
Fraudsters use manipulated phone numbers to appear as legitimate police station contacts, such as Hester's Way in Cheltenham or Bearlands in Gloucester.
Victims are provided with fake collar numbers and asked for personal details, including passport numbers, under false pretences.
Police are urging the public to protect elderly or vulnerable loved ones from this type of fraud and to exercise caution when dealing with phone interactions.
Verification of officers’ identities should be done by hanging up and calling 101, ensuring the line has cleared first.
Legitimate police officers will never ask for bank details, cash, or passwords over the phone nor request individuals to engage in fraudulent transactions.
For further fraud prevention advice, visit Gloucestershire Constabulary’s website or their Report Fraud page.