Courier fraud warning after spate of incidents

Police are warning people to be vigilant after fraudsters, one purporting to be a police officer, have been pressuring victims into withdrawing cash and to transfer "significant amounts" of money to other accounts.

Two elderly people in Herefordshire separately encountered courier fraudsters who wanted them to hand over cash, buy high value items and transfer money to another bank account, West Mercia Police said.

Several incidents have been reported in Herefordshire and Worcestershire in recent weeks, the force said, including a man pretending to be the chief police officer in Hereford.

No officer will ask someone to make a payment or purchase, withdraw or transfer money, the force said.

Courier fraud is when a fraudster phones their victim and claims to be from the police or another law enforcement authority or the bank.

People can be duped into revealing their PIN and card details, asked to hand over cash or to buy high value items which they are then advised to hand over to a "courier".

Earlier this month, two incidents were reported in Hereford and and Ross-on-Wye – with another in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, the force said.

In each incident, the con artists claimed to be a "Detective Warren Mason" or "Detective Mason Warren" from "Brixon Police".

Det Insp Mel Reynolds advised people to hang up and call the police or their bank on another line if they receive a call of that nature.

"Please continue to remain vigilant around courier fraud and look out for vulnerable family or friends who are more at risk of falling victim to these con artists. Make sure they are aware of this scam.

"Always remember, no police officer from any force will ever ask you to make a payment or purchase, withdraw or transfer money or ask for your bank details.

"In recent incidents fraudsters have claimed to be the 'Chief Police Officer of Hereford' or that they are from the MET police."

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