Devon and Cornwall Police issue 'Neighbourhood Alert' over vouchers scam
Officers are urging people to watch out for messages which seem to be from family or friends
Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a 'Neighbourhood Alert' about a scam involving fake requests for money or vouchers.
Local officers are urging people to way of messages or emails which seem to be from family or friends.
The force says those contacting victims normally pretend to be in a hurry to entice them to transfer cash or buy vouchers and share the codes, giving an emotional story as to why it is an emergency.
Anyone who receives a message like this is being urged to make contact with the friend or family member to check before they act.
If you are concerned, you can contact Action Fraud or Devon and Cornwall Police via the 101 service.
The 'Neighbourhood Alert' states: "Please be wary of scams involving messages which seem to be from a family member/friend asking for money or vouchers.
"Criminals try to contact victims by email, WhatsApp message, and other forms of messaging, purporting to be known to the recipient and giving a storyline for a (normally emotive or emergency) reason why they need money.
"The fraudsters normally pretend to be in a hurry, most likely to entice their victims to take immediate action, asking for money to be transferred or for vouchers to be purchased and for the codes to be given to them.
"This is a scam, please be wary of any similar messages of this type. If you receive a message asking you to financially help someone or asking you to purchase something please make contact with them in person or via a telephone call to verify they are who they say they are.
"If you believe you may have been a victim to fraud please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 www.actionfraud.police.uk.
"If you have any concerns please email 101@dc.police.uk or use the webchat facility on the Devon & Cornwall police website".