Police urge public to stay vigilant as fraud caller almost scams Malton 80-year-old out of £35,000

A recent incident in Malton nearly saw an 80-year-old victim spend £35,000 on what they believed was a high end watch.

Fortunately, North Yorkshire Police officers managed to persuade the victim that this was, in fact, a scam before any money was taken.

A police spokesperson said: “These scams see fraudsters phoning their victims on their home landlines. Posing as the police, they instruct the victim to dial 999 in order to verify who they are and that it is legitimate. In reality, the fraudsters never hang up, and instead, the line remains open. “As a result, when the victim dials 999, they are unknowingly still speaking to the fraudster or an accomplice. They then proceed to tell the victim that their bank is defrauding them and, as part of the scam, a jewellery shop is selling fake watches and they need the victim’s help to catch them out. This grooming can continue to happen repeatedly over several days. “The victim is then instructed to go out and buy an expensive watch, with fraudsters sometimes giving them specific makes and models. They then tell them the watch is fake and not to divulge any information to the shop's staff, as they are part of the fraud gang - with the same lies told about the bank. The fraudsters reassure the victim that they will be reimbursed for any purchases made. “If questioned in the shop, they’re usually told to say it’s a gift for a family member or some other plausible story. After buying the watch they hand it over with the receipt to a ‘courier’. They also tell them not to tell family and friends anything as this is an official police operation and discretion is required. This can happen multiple times with many watches bought on different days and handed to the fraudsters. “Due to the extensive grooming the victim has experienced up to this point, they will now likely believe the fraudsters completely, and as a result, are less likely to tell anyone what is happening. “The victims of these particular scams are typically elderly people who are in their 70s or 80s, with no previous history of buying an expensive watch. “If you are in any doubt about the legitimacy of a phone call then we urge you to contact the police as soon as possible. “We have included several pieces of advice from Report Fraud about similar tactics known as courier fraud, where fraudsters will call you and claim to be a police officer or from your bank. Key tips from North Yorkshire Police: • Take a moment to pause and consider: Criminals will rush and pressure you to respond. It's okay to reject or ignore their demands. • Never hand over your card: Your bank or the police will never come to your home to collect money or your card. Never give these to anyone who shows up to collect them. • Always verify securely: If contacted unexpectedly, call your bank back using a number you trust. Wait five minutes or use a different phone line to ensure the line is clear of criminals who might still be connected. •Your bank or the police will never call you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick your card up via a courier. If you receive a call like this then hang up.

• If you've given your bank details over the phone or handed your card to a courier, call your bank immediately to cancel your card.