Two men have been charged with conspiracy to defraud after an elderly Rickmansworth woman was conned out of a large amount of money in a phone scam.

The crime happened in January when the woman in her 70s was phoned by a man claiming to be a police officer investigating fraudulent use of her bank cards.

She was asked to withdraw a large amount of cash from her bank account and give it to a courier who was sent later to collect the money.

Jay O’Reilly, 21, of Peregrine House, in Islington, and Conor Gunn, 21, of Bath Street, in Islington, were arrested yesterday.

They were later charged with conspiracy to defraud and have been remanded in custody.

These arrests follow the arrest of 22-year-old Sonny Greenaway, of Gulland Walk, in London, on January 30. He has since been charged with fraud by false representation and remanded in custody.

DC Adam Bridges, from Rickmansworth Local Crime Unit, said: "Arrests are continuing to be made in connection with phone scams, but I would still remind people to remain aware.

"It’s important to remember that a police officer would never ask anyone to reveal their personal bank account details, including PIN numbers and would never ask someone to withdraw money. Equally, bank staff would not make this request or ask for your PIN number.

"Anyone who receives a similar call should not part with any personal information or money and should call the police immediately via the non-emergency number 101. It is possible the offenders may not have hung up the phone so please use a mobile phone to call the police or alternatively wait a few minutes before contacting us.

"Offenders do appear to be targeting elderly people and we would urge people to share this information and advice with elderly relatives and neighbours so they are made aware."