Elderly Suffolk couple lose £10,000 in police scam

The money, taken in foreign currency, was collected by criminals posing as police officers in one of four incidents reported to Suffolk Police in 24 hours.

Lauren Speirs, fraud prevent officer at Suffolk Constabulary, said: "These incidents took place across the county, with a variety of ages affected, but all of the victims on this occasion were over 70.

"In Suffolk more than 40 per cent of all crime is now fraud related and these crimes are being carried out by organised, well-versed, highly persuasive people.

"Sadly, those aged between 76 and 96 account for around 62 per cent of all reports of courier fraud in the country.

"However, we do find that we have victims of all ages.

"The criminals are playing on our emotions, our trust and our fears."

Courier fraud involves scammers impersonating police officers or bank officials to trick victims into handing over cash, bank cards or valuables.

In the £10,000 case, an elderly couple were contacted by individuals claiming to be detectives from the Metropolitan Police.

They were told they were victims of online banking fraud and needed to hand over cash as part of a covert investigation.

The money was later collected by a courier.

Another incident on the same day involved a woman in her 90s who was contacted by men claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police.

They told her she was under suspicion due to an arrest in London, but nothing was stolen.

On October 27, a woman in her 70s was targeted by someone pretending to be from the Financial Conduct Authority.

A courier later collected her jewellery and bank cards.

Police are urging people to share this warning with elderly and vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours, but stress that anyone can fall victim to these sophisticated scams.