Police are warning the public of a scam which is currently under investigation.
The telephone scam, which has been attempted across the county, relate to a caller purporting to be a police officer investigating an incident of fraud. The offender persuades the victim that their bank is in on the scam and that the victim can help their investigation by taking out a large sum of money. They are then asked to meet an officer who states a password before taking their money and making off.
Police have received a number of reports of this scenario over the past few weeks, with one victim handing over a substantial amount of money, believed to be £7,000.
Detective Inspector Andy Donnelly said: “I would like to take this opportunity to make it abundantly clear that this scenario is a scam.
“A police officer investigating such an incident of fraud would under no circumstances request a perceived victim to withdraw money from their bank and hand it over.
“Our advice is if you receive this call is to hang up and contact either police or Action Fraud.
“Fraudsters tend to target vulnerable people so I would encourage the public to warn others of this scam in order to prevent anyone else becoming a victim.”
For further crime prevention advice on fraud visit www.cumbria.police.uk/Advice-Centre/Crime-Prevention/Fraud.aspx.
If you are a victim of fraud that is a crime in progress and you need an immediate police response, please dial 999.
If you think that you have been the victim of a fraud and it is a non-emergency situation report this to the Cumbria Constabulary on 101 and to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or by visiting their website www.actionfraud.police.uk.
You can also sign up to their fraud alert service at www.actionfraud.police.uk/support-and-prevention/sign-up-to-action-fraud-alert.
