Police repeat warnings as bogus officers try again to con elderly out of cash (From Watford Observer)

Police repeat warnings as bogus officers try again to con elderly out of cash

4:02pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Adam Binnie, Senior Reporter

Conmen posing as police officers have again tried to strike in Watford and Three Rivers, having already stolen thousands of pounds from elderly victims.

Three people in Watford and two in Three Rivers received calls on Tuesday from a man who posed as a policeman investigating bank fraud.

However, rather than being drawn into the con, they hung up and reported the incident to the police after becoming suspicious.

Detective Constable Chris Parperi said: "These people did exactly the right thing by saying ‘no’ to the caller as they believed it was suspicious.

"They immediately called police to report it. I’d urge people who have a similar call to do the same."

Earlier this month the Watford Observer reported how a 91-year-old woman from South Oxhey handed over all £25,000 of her life savings to a telephone conman.

The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous for fears of her own safety, was telephoned by a man claiming to be a Detective Sergeant Reynolds from Watford police station.

He told the woman there was a problem with her bank account, and that in order for her money to be safe, she would need to withdraw £7,000 in cash and give it to someone who would collect it from her home.

She did this on three occasions, handing over her entire life savings before becoming suspicious and calling the police.

In another incident at the end of August, another victim was conned into handing over thousands of pounds.

During a phone call, fraudsters told the victim they needed to withdraw their money and hand it over to ensure it was safe.

DC Parperi added: "Police would never ring people and tell them to take money out of their account and if a police officer comes to your door they will always show you their warrant card and you can always call us to verify their identity if you are unsure.

"I’d urge people who get a similar call to call police via the non-emergency number 101."