Elderly Wiltshire woman conned out of £50,000 by fraudsters posing as bank employees

The woman in her 80s from Devizes was targeted by fraudsters posing as bank employees.

They convinced her to to transfer more than £50,000 to two different bank accounts.

Wiltshire Police say there have been a number of similar incidents recently in the Devizes and Marlborough area but have urged all residents to be vigilant.

In other crimes, fraudsters have posed as police officers and convinced their victims to withdraw thousands of pounds from their bank accounts and arrange for it to be collected by couriers.

PC Sue Ellway, from the Devizes Area Community Policing Team, said:

"Sadly, these scams are very sophisticated and it is very easy for people to be duped by them."

"Usually, the criminals pose as either police officers or bank employees and convince their victims that they are at risk of fraud, and that they need to follow their instructions to protect their money."

"We are urging people to be cautious, and to speak to elderly or vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours, so that everyone knows the simple steps they can take to keep themselves safe."

TIPS TO KEEP SAFE

Wiltshire Police has issued the following crime prevention advice.

• If you receive a call from anybody purporting to be from the police, bank, or any organisation you did not call, please take a telephone number and then put the phone down.

• Go and make a cup of tea or do something for five minutes (this stops any fraudster from keeping your phone line open) then call a trusted friend, relative or Wiltshire Police on 101 and tell them what has happened.

• Never transfer money or give the caller access to your banking details or cards. The bank or police would never ask you to do this.

You can find out more about courier fraud can be found on the Action Fraud website https://crowd.in/vWZBXt