80-year-old scammed out of £12k in Wigan
Officers are appealing for information after a woman from Standish was conned by someone claiming to be from the police
Last updated 25th Mar 2021
An elderly woman from Wigan has been scammed out of thousands of pounds by someone claiming to be a police officer.
GMP were called to a property on Bentham Road, Standish on Tuesday (23rd march) to a report of fraud.
The 80-year-old had received a call the previous day (22nd March) from a man who told her he was a police officer and said suspicious activity had been noticed on her husband's bank accounty.
She was told she needed to withdraw £5,000 as part of the investigation. A further phone call from someone claiming to be from her bank informed her she needed to also hand over any money she had in her home.
Later that day a woman, in her early 20s, claiming to be a courier for the police collected the money from her - altogether £12,000 was taken.
She's been described as middle eastern, of slim build, with slick black brown hair, long false nails and wearing a high vis jacket.
Police Constable Sharpe of GMP's Wigan district, said: “Preying on vulnerable members of society is despicable and we’re doing all we can to ensure those responsible are identified.
“We’re appealing to anyone in the area who also may have fallen victim to a similar offence to get in touch with police. In addition, if you think you recognise the description of the woman or witnessed any suspicious activity in your area, please come forward and speak with us.
“I would also urge members of the community to remain vigilant to this type of activity. It’s important to always be suspicious of phone calls, texts or emails which come out of the blue asking for personal and financial details or asking you to withdraw money regardless of who they claim to represent.
“If you receive a call that raises your suspicions hang up and phone the police non-emergency number 101 on a different phone, or allow at least five minutes for the line to clear.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 7124 quoting incident 810 of 23/02/21. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.