Friday, 17 October 2014

Police warn of fraud investigation scam in Kendal

Cumbria Police repeatedly advise and warn the local communities about telephone, computer and cold calling scams that they become aware of in their area.

Police have received two reports relating to a scam caller purporting to be a member of the Metropolitan Police’s Fraud Squad in the past week.

The caller, a male,  claims that they are investigating a major fraud case and that the victim’s bank account has been compromised and should move their money immediately to a ‘secret bank account’. The caller has on both occasions referred to himself as Detective Constable David Warren.

On the 10th October a woman in Kendal was called by the fraudster and was coerced into transferring £20,000 into a ‘secret police account’. Once the transaction was completed, the woman reported it to Cumbria Police.

On the 15th October a second woman, also from the Kendal area, received a call from a man claiming to be a DC David Warren from the Metropolitan Police’s Fraud Squad. She was advised to move money into a ‘secret police account’ however transferred this in to her son’s account due to her suspicions. She then reported this to police.

Details regarding both incidents have been passed to Action Fraud.

Inspector Jon Sherlock said “Police officers will always identify themselves by name and the station they are attached to, they will never ask for your bank details. Unfortunately there are people out there who will attempt to obtain information fraudulently. I strongly advise anyone who receives calls like this to hang up immediately.

“If you are ever unsure if a call from the police is genuine, ask for the person’s name, collar number and station attached to, then hang up. Using a different phone, as the caller may still be linked to yours, dial 101 and ask for that specific person – if they are genuine, the Communications Centre will be able to put you through to them.”


For more advice, please contact Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.org.uk or contact the Action Fraud Hotline on 0300 123 2040.

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