Con artists threatened Ayrshire’s top cop with arrest if he didn’t pay a fake bill.
The audacious criminals were way off the mark when they phoned up Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain.
The experienced strategic firearms commander deftly dealt with the tax scam, reporting it to HMRC.
Police Scotland figures show rising levels of fraud during the pandemic.
Speaking during a council meeting recently, Divisional Ayrshire Commander Chief Superintendent Hussain said: “This weekend I received a telephone call from an individual claiming to be from HMRC, saying if I didn’t pay the tax bill I would be arrested.
“Individuals are receiving these calls and it is about us trying to educate individuals as best as we can to have an impact on reducing the number of victims.”
The incident comes as criminals try to cash in on the coronavirus emergency.
Fraud soared by 108 per cent in East Ayrshire according to a police report on crimes, which took place between April 1 and June 30 this year.
In North Ayrshire, fraud rose by 119 per cent during the pandemic compared to the same time last year according to a police report.
The figure presented to the North Ayrshire police, fire and rescue committee was contained in crime statistics for the period April 1 to September 30 this year.
The South Ayrshire figures have not been published yet.
Chief Superintendent Hussain told the most recent North Ayrshire police, fire and rescue committee: “The [fraud] increase is seen across Police Scotland. It is not a localised issue for ourselves.
“We know there are organised crime groups operating both within the UK and abroad that are developing the modus operandi in terms of fraud. It is about us being able to educate members of the public about various scams.”
A police report presented to councillors at the committee said: “Fraud is an area which has seen a large increase locally and nationally since March as a result of organised crime groups in the UK and beyond seeking to exploit vulnerable people as a result of the pandemic.”
Reports of any HMRC scams can be emailed to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
Earlier this year Detective Superintendent Kenny Armstrong, of Ayrshire CID, urged people to be vigilant following reports of fraud-related crime in the region.
Potential victims are targeted with emails, texts, phone calls and WhatsApp messages as part of attempts to steal their life savings.
There have also been reports of cold callers turning up at people's front doors.
Residents are warned never to provide personal data including full name, address, date of birth or passwords.
