Three men arrested after string of elderly people in Lutterworth area were scammed out of more than £50k

The suspects, aged 20, 27 and 36, have been quizzed by detectives hunting the ruthless swindlers – who fleeced their victims out of over £50,000.

They have all been freed pending further enquiries, police said.

The men were detained as part of a national crackdown to arrest “those responsible for scamming elderly and vulnerable people”.

Courier tricksters call someone, usually elderly, pretending to a police officer or bank official.

They warn the victim there are corrupt bank staff at the branch they use intent on stealing their money and ask for their help.

So far this year 100 people have been arrested across the country as part of the campaign.

People in the Lutterworth area of Harborough have been targeted by criminals this year.

In January police received two separate reports from a man and woman in their 80s called by someone claiming to be a police officer working from a station in London.

He claimed the victims’ bank cards had been compromised and were carrying out an investigation into bank staff at their local branch.

They were told to withdraw a large sum of money from their accounts so they could check it wasn’t counterfeit.

Both victims withdrew £4,000 each from their accounts.

The cash was then collected by a courier from their homes.

In February a couple in their 70s were contacted by someone posing as a police officer from London.

They asked the victims to buy two “high-value watches” from a jewellers in Leicester as they were investigating the branch for selling counterfeit watches.

In March an 80-year-old woman was contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer.

They told the confused pensioner to withdraw £8,000 from her bank which was then collected by a courier.

A similar incident occurred in July.

A woman of 73 was told to take over £10,000 from her account.

The suspect claimed they were investigating the bank for counterfeit currency.

A courier then went to collect the cash from the victim’s home.

Four of these reports came from the Lutterworth area and one from the Castle Donington area.

“Investigations into all of these incidents continue,” said Leicestershire Police.

Paul Wenlock, of the force’s economic crime unit, said: “These types of offences are borderless crimes.

“Those responsible target victims not necessarily in their own area but across the country.

“Our investigations led us into many force areas and those enquiries resulted in three people being identified and now the subject of our enquiries.

“All those targeted in these offences were elderly or vulnerable who were taken in by the suspects claiming they were police officers.

“They sounded genuine and gained the victims’ trust.”

He added: “Between the five victims more than £50,000 was lost to these fraudsters.

“The national campaign has resulted in 100 arrests and that is a significant number.

“City of London’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau were able to collate intelligence on suspect descriptions, aliases used, vehicles involved in the crimes, methodology used by criminals, bank account information and telephone numbers, and update police forces on a weekly basis.

“Having that dedicated resources has enabled work to be done on a national level.

“We will continue to take raise awareness of the issue and help reduce the chances of further people falling victim to these opportunist thieves.

“If you are contacted in similar circumstances we advise you to report your concerns immediately.”

To reduce your chances of becoming a victim check out the Action Fraud website at: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-scam

T/Commander Clinton Blackburn, the National Co-ordinator for Economic Crime, said: “Courier fraud is a grossly under-reported crime, usually due to victims being embarrassed and ashamed they have become a victim.

“Criminals committing courier fraud are nearly always part of broader criminal gangs - they are persuasive and can be aggressive.

“This can be particularly intimidating when they turn up on a victim’s doorstep.

“That’s why we have continued to focus on tackling this contemptible crime.”

He insisted: “Together with colleagues in other forces, we’re sending a loud, clear message from policing to courier fraudsters.

“Your criminal activity won’t be tolerated.

“If you have been a victim of this despicable crime, please report to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or reporting online here: www.actionfraud.police.uk"