A 77-year-old woman from the West Midlands has been defrauded of more than £10,000 in a courier fraud scam, prompting a renewed warning from police about the sophisticated con. The incident occurred on 15 March when the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer from the Metropolitan Police.
How the Scam Unfolded
The caller told the woman that her bank account had been compromised and that she needed to withdraw cash to assist with an investigation. The fraudster instructed her to hand over the money to a courier who would collect it from her home. Believing the caller to be genuine, the victim withdrew £10,500 from her bank and gave it to a man who arrived at her address later that day.
According to West Midlands Police, the courier fraud scam often targets elderly and vulnerable people. The fraudsters use sophisticated tactics to appear legitimate, including spoofing phone numbers to make it look like they are calling from a genuine police station. In this case, the victim was told to keep the matter confidential and not to tell anyone about the call.
Police Investigation and Appeal
Detectives are now investigating the incident and have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the fraud. He is described as white, in his late 20s or early 30s, of medium build, and was wearing a dark jacket and jeans at the time of the collection.
Police Constable Sarah Jones, from the force's economic crime unit, said: "This was a despicable crime that has left the victim extremely distressed and out of pocket. We are doing everything we can to trace those responsible and bring them to justice. We would urge anyone with information to come forward."
Advice for the Public
West Midlands Police are reminding residents that no police officer or bank official will ever ask for cash, bank cards, or valuables to be handed over to a courier. They advise people to be wary of unsolicited phone calls and to hang up immediately if they suspect a scam. If in doubt, call the police on 101 or contact your bank using a number you know to be genuine.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat on their website or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 20/123456/23.
