Police warning after East Dunbartonshire pensioners scammed thousands by fake cops
They tried to persuade seven others over 60 to hand over cash
Police in East Dunbartonshire are warning the public to remain vigilant after two pensioners were conned out of thousands of pounds by scammers posing as officers.
The women, aged 78 and 80, received phone calls from con artists who said they were investigating fraudulent payments on bank cards and asked them to make payments of four and five figures.
Authorities say the elderly are often convinced that these calls are genuine and are asked to transfer money or to visit a local branch to withdraw cash that can be collected by other scammers.
In the last month, similar attempts were made to steal from seven others aged between 66 and 86, but these were unsuccessful and no funds were handed over.
Police warning
Local area commander for East Dunbartonshire chief inspector Aidan Higgins is reminding the public that Police Scotland will never make any such requests.
He said: "The people can be very plausible and introduce themselves on occasions as a named police officer from Police Scotland.
"They can come across that they are there to help the member of the public but also in return could they assist with the police investigation by confirming their details and going through various personal information in which can allow the fraudster to transfer money.
"If you are contacted by someone purporting to be a a police officer and requesting financial information, advising you your card's been used fraudulently, my advice to you is do not engage.
"This is a scam and the police will never ever telephone and ask you for your personal financial information. We will never ask you to assist in an investigation by withdrawing money or transferring funds.
"So, don't engage with the phone call. Hang up and speak to a trusted family member or trusted friend, phone 101 and report the matter to Police Scotland so we can investigate what the circumstances are."
Enquirers into the bank fraud are ongoing.