Ten people have been arrested as part of an investigation into a scam where criminals posed as police officers to steal £150,000 in cash and valuables from 36 victims.
The PSNI has received over 300 reports from members of the public who have received phone calls to their landline numbers where the scammers tell them an officer would be sent to their house to collect personal belongings for an investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Wilson said: “These scammers are engaging these householders in conversation which then develops into ask whether they have any cash or other valuables in their house.
“If this is confirmed to them, the scammers will then tell them that they have information that they are in the very near future going to be the victim of a crime such as a burglary or a fraud and they will offer to take possession of their cash and/or their valuables in order to keep them safe.
“If that is agreed to, they will ask the householder to put those valuables and cash into an envelope and set it somewhere outside but in the vicinity of their house. Very often under their front doorstep. The scammers will then come and collect that envelope and from that point on, that money is stolen.”
The PSNI have made ten arrests, six male and four females, and have charged seven of these individuals with offences relating to this scam, with three others have been reported to the PPS.
Detective Chief Inspector Wilson confirmed that the group of individuals involved in the scam were based in Northern Ireland and emphasised to older members of the community that if you receive one of these calls or are not sure if someone is being genuine that you should just hang up the phone.
He continued: “The police will not phone you up and ask anything about your personal finances, whether you have cash or other valuables in your house and they certainly will not ask to take that to their possession for safekeeping.
“Approximately ten per cent of [reports] have actually incurred a loss - the number is 36 victims and we have had 308 reports of this crime. The total figure involved is £150,000, that is £135,000 in cash and approximately £15,000 in valuables such as jewellery.”
The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland Eddie Lynch explained that isolation caused by the pandemic can often maker older people more vulnerable to these types of scams.
Mr Lynch added: “I’m delighted to be working with the police on this issue, it’s obviously a matter of major concern. Older people regularly tell me that their fears of falling victim to scams is one of their top fears that they have and unfortunately we do know that older people can sometimes be more trusting when they're contacted by people and less willing to put the phone down.
“That’s why it’s really important to get this message out loud and clear that you’ll never be asked to hand over money or bank details or valuables by a police officer.
“Make as many older people as aware as possible of the danger that’s out there and if in doubt, just put the phone down.”
