Officers warning of phone scammer
Tuesday 23rd June 2009, 11:56AM BST.
Residents of Mid Wales were today urged to be on their guard after a man claiming to be a Dyfed Powys Police officer began contacting farmers.
Police said today they were launching an investigation after a number of farmers across Powys reported calls from a man claiming to be called either Gavin or Gareth, a police community support officer for the force.
The man has asked the residents for money or sponsorship for a new police magazine which is set to be launched – but the magazine does not exist.
Nicole Watkins, of the force customer service unit, said she was warning people to be on guard.
She said: “Dyfed Powys Police are asking the general public and in particular farmers to be aware that should they receive a telephone call from a male called either Gavin or Gareth who states that he is a Dyfed Powys Police Community Support Officer.
“We would like to point out that this person is not connected with Dyfed Powys Police and people should be aware that they are not to give out any bank details.
“We have had reports of at least two incidents in the last week.”
Mrs Watkins said the man claims he is writing a force magazine about knife crime.
“The male mentions an anti-bullying and knife crime magazine and asks for farmers to take out advertising and sponsorship in the magazine that he is supposedly producing.”
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This is a well known scam that has been going on for years. I reported it to the police after dozens of such calls over a six month period.
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