Gloucestershire Police have issued a warning to residents following a recent scam targeting a couple in the Cotswolds. The fraudster called the couple, who are in their 50s and 60s, pretending to be an officer from Hammersmith Police. He claimed that a man had been arrested for possessing their bank cards.
Fortunately, the couple did not fall victim. Instead of transferring any money, they contacted the police directly to verify the call’s authenticity. Authorities are concerned that others in the county may be at risk of similar scams.
This case mirrors a common fraud pattern seen across the UK, where scammers impersonate police officers to frighten victims into believing their bank accounts are compromised or that someone has been arrested for fraudulent activity involving their cards.
READ MORE: Woman Seeks Gloucestershire Relatives of Unknown WW1 Soldier from Old Photograph
READ MORE: Security for Empty Gloucester Care Facility Could Cost £520,000 a Year
Typically, the fraudster instructs victims to hang up and dial 999 to confirm the legitimacy of the call. However, this is a deceptive tactic—the original call remains connected, and the victim ends up speaking with another fraudster posing as a police officer.
Victims are often pressured to withdraw large sums of cash, which is then collected by a fake police courier either at their doorstep or another agreed location. In other instances, victims are asked to send money through the post or transfer funds to a bogus police bank account.
These scammers are highly manipulative and often instruct victims to keep the “investigation” secret from friends and family, increasing isolation and the chance of success.
Police urge everyone to be vigilant, especially in warning elderly or vulnerable relatives and friends about such frauds. Always verify unexpected calls by independently contacting local police departments, and never hand over cash or share bank details with unsolicited callers.