Elderly man in Alderholt scammed out of thousands of pounds
The victim, in his 80s, was called by someone claiming to be from police in Manchester
The scam began on Monday morning (8th February) when a man in Alderholt was called at around 11.30am by a 'detective', asking for assistance to catch someone who'd obtained counterfeit money from the victim's bank account.
The victim was put through to a woman who claimed to be from his bank to 'verify' the story.
The elderly man was asked to withdraw £7,000 from his bank so that police could 'check whether the cash was genuine'.
£5,000 was taken out by the man, with arrangements made for it to be collected.
At around 2.30pm on Monday, a black man wearing a face mask, arrived at the victim's home to pick the money up.
Dorset Police tell us they also had two other similar incidents, also in the Alderholt area, reported to them on Thursday 28th January and Monday 8th February.
Elderly people were also targeted in these cases, but luckily no money was withdrawn.
Fraud investigator Shane Cherrett, of Dorset Police, said:
"We are carrying out a full investigation into these matters and I am appealing for anyone with information that might assist our enquiries to please come forward.
"We believe the man who collected the money may have been waiting in the Alderholt area on the afternoon of Monday 8 February 2021 and I would ask for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the vicinity to please contact us.
"Finally I would urge people to make sure any vulnerable elderly family members, loved ones or neighbours are aware of this scam. Anyone who is contacted in similar circumstances is asked to please report it to us."
If you can help police with any information, you're asked to contact the Dorset force on 101 or by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk, quoting reference number 55210023452.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.