Bogus police officers in phone scam

The scam, which aims to steal cash by convincing victims they must give up their bank details and cards, was reported by five people in the region on Sunday.

In Leintwardine, near Ludlow, a 76-year-old man received a call at his home in High Street from someone who said they were from the Metropolitan Police Service.

He was told that £2,000 had been taken fraudulently from his bank account, but when he asked the caller to verify who they were, they said they would call back and rang off.

On the same day, in Kington, on the Shropshire border, an 85-year-old woman was targeted by a man who said again that he was from the Metropolitan Police and that her card had been used fraudulently somewhere in London.

This time she followed his instructions, giving him both bank and credit card details including her PIN. He then told her not to cancel the cards as new ones would be sent to her.

About 20 minutes later a man, described as a white male, about 5'6" to 5'8" tall, clean shaven and slightly scruffy in appearance, called to collect her cards. The following day the woman had a call from her bank to say that £300 had been taken out of her account.

There were also similar episodes on the same day in Bromyard, Mansel Lacey and Dorstone, across the border in Herefordshire.

Speaking for West Mercia Police, DCI Sean Paley urged people in the region to be on their guard.

He said: "The offenders involved in these scams are heartless criminals who are targeting elderly and vulnerable people to defraud them of their hard earned money. I would urge anyone who has contact with elderly or vulnerable people to spread the word and make sure that they are aware of this scam so that they do not become victims.

"Anyone who has been a victim, knows someone who may have been a victim or has any information about these crimes is asked to contact police on 101."