Warning over telephone tricksters after 75-year-old woman from Ipswich embroiled in £25,500 watch scam
Police are warning residents to be wary of telephone scammers. Picture: LUCY TAYLOR
A 75-year-old Ipswich woman was tricked into handing over a large sum of cash to a scammer and convinced to buy a £25,500 watch after receiving a call from a bogus police officer.
Suffolk Constabulary is urging people to be vigilant following the incident.
On Friday, September 8, the victim received a telephone call from a man, saying he was a police officer who was investigating a fraud and required assistance.
The offender instructed the woman to withdraw £4,600 from her bank account, which was collected by a man later that day.
The offender then talked the woman into purchasing a watch worth £25,500 as he said he was investigating an insurance scam, but fortunately the transaction was declined in the shop.
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Police were alerted when the victim went to her bank to get the transaction authorised.
Following this attack, police have issued the following guidance:
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• Your bank or the police will never ask you to withdraw money or purchase items
• Your bank or the police will never ask for your PIN, bank card or bank account details over the phone – never give these details out
• If you receive such a call leave the landline for at least five minutes to make an outside call. Fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ring tones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number
• Use a friend or neighbour’s telephone instead
• Friends, family, carers and neighbours are asked to spread the word to ensure everyone is aware of this scam and what they should do
