Warning after Harborough woman left distraught by ruthless courier fraud

The shocking case has emerged as Leicestershire Police said they have received five reports of courier fraud over the last few weeks alone.

A courier fraudster contacts victims by telephone claiming to be a police officer or bank official.

The caller sounds plausible and may confirm the victim’s name and address, basic information which could be obtained easily.

Just last month a woman in her 60s in Harborough was phoned by a man who claimed he was a police officer from a police station in London.

The man told her he was investigating fraud at a major bank.

The villain persuaded the shocked victim to attend her local branch and a taxi was even laid on to take her there.

Fortunately the Harborough taxi firm knew the victim at the centre of the attempted con and quickly became suspicious.

The public-spirited company helped the seriously shaken-up victim alert police and report the sinister incident before she was fleeced.

In some instances, after trust has been gained, the crook will claim money has been withdrawn from the victim’s account by staff within the bank.

They persuade them to go their local branch and take out a large sum of money from their account.

The cruel criminals then send someone to collect the money from the unwitting victim’s home address.

That’s what happened to an elderly couple from Oakham, Rutland, in October.

Following an initial call they were contacted again two days later and told that half the cash that was collected was counterfeit.

The victim was persuaded to withdraw even more of their savings.

But alert staff at the bank became suspicious and tipped off police.

Paul Wenlock, of Leicestershire Police economic crime unit, said: “Luckily in two of the five cases the fraud was prevented by either a third party or the victims themselves who became suspicious.

“This type of offence is of great concern to us.

“Suspects are targeting, in some occasions, elderly or vulnerable people.

“They sound genuine and gain the trust of the victims.

“The police or banks would not contact people in this way.

“If you get a call like this hang up.

"If you need to contact your bank to check wait five minutes as fraudsters can stay on the line even after you have hung up - or use a different line altogether.

“Your bank cards are yours and never let them be used by others.”

He warned: “We are asking people to remain vigilant.

“If you have elderly neighbours or relatives who don’t access our website or social media sites please advise them of these incidents.

"At times the fraudsters use local taxi firms to transport potential victims to their banks. “We would ask taxi companies to be mindful of this and if they have any suspicions to contact the police immediately.

“Further advice about the scam can be found on the Action Fraud website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraud and the steps people can take to protect themselves.”