Gloucestershire Police have issued an urgent warning following a recent scam aimed at a couple living in the Cotswolds. The pair, aged in their 50s and 60s, received a distressing phone call from someone impersonating an officer from Hammersmith Police. The caller falsely claimed that a man had been arrested carrying the couple’s bank cards, attempting to trick them into handing over large sums of money.
Fortunately, the couple trusted their instincts and contacted the police directly to verify the call’s authenticity. Thanks to their caution, they avoided losing several hundred thousand pounds. However, authorities are concerned that similar scams may soon target other residents across Gloucestershire.
This incident fits a common pattern seen throughout the UK: fraudsters impersonate police officers, telling victims their bank cards have been involved in criminal activity or that suspicious transactions have been detected on their accounts. Victims are typically urged to hang up and dial 999 to confirm the call, but in reality, the fraudsters keep the line open and seamlessly continue the deception with another accomplice on the other end.
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The scammers often instruct victims to withdraw large amounts of cash, which they then arrange to collect either in person, at a specified location, or via post. Some victims are even persuaded to transfer funds to fraudulent bank accounts posing as police accounts. Throughout the process, victims are pressured to keep the situation secret, sometimes warned against informing family or friends in order to maintain the illusion of an ongoing investigation.
Gloucestershire Police are now urging the public to remain alert and to warn elderly or vulnerable relatives and friends about such scams. Their key advice includes:
- Always independently verify calls claiming to be from the police by contacting your local station directly.
- Never share personal or financial information over the phone.
- Be suspicious of urgent requests for money or secrecy.
- Report suspicious calls immediately.
Staying informed and cautious is crucial in preventing these sophisticated scams from succeeding.