Warning after 79-year-old Derbyshire woman targeted by fraudsters

Earlier this month, a 79-year-old woman from Borrowash was contacted by criminals purporting to be police officers from the Metropolitan Police Service.

The fraudsters claimed that there had been unusual activity on her bank account and in order for the victims to protect her funds she needed to transfer the content into a ‘safe police account’.

The money was then taken and the criminals seized contact.

Detective Constable Julie Wheeldon from the Derbyshire Fraud Investigation Team said: “Frauds such as this can have a devastating effect on victims and unfortunately can see them losing a large amount of their hard earned cash.

“Fraudsters can be highly convincing, generating a false sense of trust between them and their victim, persuading them that transferring their cash into a ‘safe account’ will help to protect their savings from criminals.

“Be careful what information you share over the phone. It is important to remember that the police would never call you and ask you to transfer cash, nor would they or the banking service ask for your personal bank details or PIN over the phone.

“I would encourage people to share the information with their friends and relatives to help raise awareness. Together we can help to stamp out fraud in our communities.”

For more information around frauds and scams visit the dedicated Stamp out Fraud in Derbyshire webpage at www.derbyshire.police.uk/stampoutfraud.

If you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit the website at: www.actionfraud.police.uk.