Police investigate three reports of people impersonating police in the Grantham area

Police are investigating three reports of people impersonating police officers in the space of an hour in the Grantham area yesterday afternoon.

Between 3pm and 4pm, Lincolnshire Police received three reports of police officer impostor fraud.

Incident 287 was reported at 3.45pm from Grantham in which the victim withdrew several thousand pounds but this was not handed over.

Incident 254 was reported from Barrowby at 3.02pm. No money was withdrawn or handed over. In this call the fraudsters claimed to be calling from 'Scotland Yard Fraud Office'.

Incident 251 was reported at 3.01pm from Great Gonerby. In this case the fraudster claimed to be from Grantham CID and tried to convince the resident that her card had been used fraudulently in London.

Lincolnshire Police say fraudsters target vulnerable people preying on their fears by impersonating police officers and claiming they have had money stolen. Victims are often told to withdraw large amounts of cash to hand over to a police officer who will visit their address to collect it, at a later time.

Nick Bates, of Preventing Financial Fraud and an Op Revive Coordinator with Lincolnshire Police, said: “We are doing all we can to raise awareness about this type of fraud because it’s one of the most distressing for victims because, by its very nature, it targets people who are vulnerable.

“Police will never ask you to ever buy anything or hand over cash to an officer so if you are asked to do that you are likely to be talking to a criminal. Please do not do as they ask and report that to us immediately.

“If you have any friends or family who are elderly or vulnerable please pass this message on to them to make them aware.”

If anybody has been contacted by anyone claiming to be a police officer who is asking them to buy goods or hand over cash, or would like to report anything of this nature, they should contact the police on 101 or report it to Action Fraud on 0300 1232040.

They can also email via force.control@lincs.pnn.police.uk