Con artists have swindled more than £80,000 from people in Northern Ireland in a spate of scams this week.
The PSNI issued a stark warning on Friday after the scams, in which one victim reported being swindled out of £40,000 in an online romance, were reported to them on Wednesday, August 13.
The crooks targeted their victims using a variety of methods including cold-calling and threatening arrest.
Some people reported the scammers called at their home claiming to be from an online retailer who were told they needed to make a payment. Others reported being threatened with arrest due to an outstanding fine or warrant.
Another victim was duped by someone claiming to be from a telecommunications company who told them they would receive a refund of £400. Police said while they did receive the £400, £15,000 was also taken from their account.
Police also said one victim who had bought items for their business online reported losing £11,000. Another report saw a victim lose £16,000 in an online financial scam. Other amounts reported as being lost range from £34 to £2,200.
Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said: "As these reports show, there is no let-up from scammers who will do whatever they can to con people out of their hard earned money. Scammers don’t care who their victim is, they just want their money and will employ whatever tactic is necessary.
"While some of the losses reported to us this week involved significant sums of money to much smaller sums, we understand that any amount of money lost to a scammer is a horrible experience for anyone.
"The threat of fraud, both online and offline, against the public is a constant focus for us and I want to take this opportunity to again appeal to people that on no account should anyone disclose their personal or financial details over the phone; always err on the side of caution.
"Scammers are creative and will do whatever they can to con people out of money.
"It’s also important that if you have older members of family, talk with them and tell them legitimate providers will never seek their personal details, such as banking information, over the phone. This is a really important conversation to have.
"Guarding your personal and banking details is essential. Never disclose them to any unauthorised person."
Anyone concerned they have been a victim of a scam either report the matter to Action Fraud via their website or by phoning 0300 123 2040. Police can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101 or you can submit a report online.
