Thames Valley residents lose more than £2m to courier fraud criminals
Thames Valley Police received 135 reports of courier fraud in the last financial year, the second highest number of reports in the UK after the Metropolitan Police and a total loss of over £2 million
Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), run by the City of London Police, reveals that 1,797 reports of courier fraud were received in the last financial year nationally, with an average loss per victim of just over £12,000 in the UK and total losses of almost £22 million. The five police force areas reporting the highest total losses were the Metropolitan Police Service, Thames Valley Police, Cheshire Constabulary, Hampshire Constabulary, and Essex Police.
Courier fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone purporting to be a police officer or a bank employee. To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. Victims are then asked to co-operate in an investigation by attending their bank and withdrawing money, withdrawing foreign currency from an exchange or purchasing an expensive item to hand over to a courier for examination who will also be a fraudster. At the time of handover, unsuspecting victims are promised the money they’ve handed over or spent will be reimbursed but in reality there is no further contact and the money is never seen again.
Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, Head of Central Fraud Unit at Thames Valley Police said: “Criminals who carry out courier fraud will exploit a number of tactics to create pressure in order to make someone believe they are dealing with someone in authority. Fraudsters will typically contact victims by phone, purporting to be a police officer or bank official. Any telephone call out of the blue should be treated with caution, especially if it is framed as an emergency where you are required to act quickly. The police/bank will never ask you to assist with an undercover investigation, move money, withdraw cash, share your one time password or ask you to grant them access to your computer. We would also never send a courier or anyone else to pick up items or ask you to post anything. We shall continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who prey on vulnerable victims and urge you to report it to Action Fraud.”
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber said: “We are warning people to be vigilant and aware that criminals are employing new tactics and putting pressure on victims to make quick decisions and preying on those who rightly trust institutions such as the police. Please take a moment to talk to friends, neighbours, and relatives, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to help spread awareness of these cruel scams.”
To stay safe and protect yourself:
Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone, or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up, wait a few minutes and call your bank on a number you know to be genuine, such as the one on the back of your card, or by calling 159
The police or your bank will not contact you out of the blue to participate in an investigation, or send a courier to your home to collect bank cards, cash, or other valuable items. Any requests to do so are a scam.
Don’t trust Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID.
Remember, staying cautious and sceptical can go a long way in protecting yourself from courier fraud. Take the time to verify information, seek advice from trusted sources, and never rush into making financial decisions under pressure. This Thames Valley Police Fraud Protection Toolkit contains helpful tips on how to spot scams and what do to do.
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Emotional and further practical support is available from Victims First who may be contacted on 0300 1234 148, or via Victims First Online Referral Form or Live Chat.
