£200,000 lost to courier fraud in Norfolk over past year
Police say people over the age of 70 are being disproportionately targeted by scammers
Last updated 6th Jun 2023
New data shows around £200,000 was lost to so called 'courier fraud' in Norfolk over the last year.
Action Fraud received 39 reports in Norfolk, with people over the age of 70 being disproportionately targeted by scammers.
Courier fraud abuses of the trust of victims, with fraudsters pretending to represent the police or other authrotiies when contacting victims, often via phone call or email.
Once in contact, the scammers try to persuade victims to hand over money by telling them their bank accounts are being used for fruadulent or criminal activity.
A common tactic is encouraging victims to withdraw large sums of money before handing it over to a 'courier' who visits the victim at home.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Parish, from the Fraud Operations team at City of London Police, said:
“Courier fraud is a devastating crime that preys on vulnerable and often older people. Millions of pounds of hard-earned pensions and savings are being stolen each year and we are concentrating efforts to stop courier fraud at the source.
“We’ve seen a growing trend of courier fraud taking place in and around retirement villages, care homes and assisted living accommodation.
"We’re asking family members and staff supporting older people across the UK to be vigilant, especially for incoming phone calls to residents, couriers arriving by motorbike or taxi and to any visitors who unexpectedly arrive.
“Banks or police officers will never send a courier to pick up cash, bank cards or pin codes from individuals and we would encourage anyone who thinks they are being targeted to report it using Action Fraud and also reporting separately to their bank.
"If there is a crime currently taking place, you should always call 999.”