Police Launch Urgent Appeal After Pensioner Loses £40k in Fake Officer Scam
Pensioner Defrauded of £40k in Fake Cop Scam: Police Appeal

Police Launch Urgent Appeal After Pensioner Loses £40k in Fake Officer Scam

West Mercia Police have issued an urgent public appeal following a distressing case where an 89-year-old pensioner from Pershore, Worcestershire, was defrauded out of approximately £40,000 by an individual impersonating a police officer. The incidents occurred over a period of several weeks between April 15 and May 30, 2024, involving both in-person encounters and telephone calls.

Details of the Courier Fraud Scam

The victim was repeatedly contacted by a person claiming to be a police officer who stated they needed assistance with an investigation. This type of crime, known as courier fraud, involves criminals posing as trusted authorities like police officers to convince victims to hand over or transfer large sums of money. In this case, the fraudster exploited the pensioner's trust, leading to significant financial loss across multiple incidents.

Police have released CCTV images of a woman they wish to identify in connection with the scam. The investigation is being led by the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), which has been pursuing several lines of enquiry since the fraud was reported. Officers believe the woman in the images may hold key information that could assist their investigation.

How to Help the Investigation

West Mercia Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. If you recognise the woman in the CCTV images or have any other details that might help, please call 101 and quote reference number 22/46155/24. For those who prefer not to speak directly to the police, the independent charity Crimestoppers offers a completely anonymous service. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111; they never ask for your name and cannot trace your call or IP address.

This case highlights the ongoing threat of courier fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals. Authorities remind the public to be vigilant and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from a trusted organization before providing personal or financial information.