Communities across the Leicestershire Police force area are being urged to remain vigilant following a report of courier fraud in which more than £40,000 worth of gold coins were handed over to scammers.
On 11 May, a woman in her 80s was contacted by telephone by someone purporting to be a police officer, who said her credit card had been fraudulently used by her grandson.
When the woman – who lives in Rothley – explained she did not have a grandson, she was told the card had been cloned.
She was then transferred to someone she was told worked for her bank.
Over the next few weeks, the original caller re-contacted her, eventually encouraging her to buy more than £40,000 worth of gold coins, which were delivered to her address. The caller then agreed for these to be collected by someone on 25 June.
On Friday (2 July), having heard nothing further from the original caller, the woman contacted her bank. They knew nothing of the calls she had been receiving and told her to contact police.
A woman in her 80s was told her card had been cloned. Photo: Stock image.
Enquiries into the incident – led by the force’s Economic Crime Unit – are continuing and anyone with information is asked to get in touch.
Paul Wenlock, from the ECU, said: “First and foremost I would urge people living across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to remain vigilant and be aware of such scams.
“These types of fraudsters often target the elderly and vulnerable. Please speak to family members, neighbours and friends and pass the message on so they do not fall victim.”
You can pass on information regarding the incident in Rothley on 25 June by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting 21*370768.
Alternatively call 101.
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