Police have issued a further warning for residents to be vigilant to cold callers claiming to be police officers following an incident in Walpole Highway near Wisbech.

It comes after an elderly resident received a call on Friday 22 February 2018 from someone claiming to be from the police stating her bank card had been used to purchase counterfeit Euros.

He asked the victim to assist police enquiries by purchasing 4,000 Euros from a Bureau-de-Change, which would allow police to check if they were counterfeit.

The victim agreed to do this twice and on each occasion the cash has been collected by a courier from her home address.

The male courier is described as being black, around 6ft 1 tall, of a slim build, aged in his 20s and was wearing hi-vis clothing.

Similar incidents have been reported throughout the county and it has been known that suspects request cash is posted or for residents to purchase high value goods, and to then meet the people purporting to be officers to hand over the goods.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Nichola Lane from King’s Lynn CID, urged for residents to be vigilant to this scam.

She said: “We’re urging members of the public, particularly the elderly who are primarily being targeted, to be vigilant to cold calls made on the telephone.

“Genuine police officers or staff would never approach residents and ask for cash withdrawals to be made or for people to purchase items on their behalf.

“I would ask people with vulnerable relatives, friends or neighbours to make sure they are aware of this type of scam.”

Officers have this advice:

•        Never give out personal information about your bank account to anybody over the phone.

•        If someone calls claiming to be a police officer, ask for their identification number and police force. Hang up and call 101 using a different phone. If you can’t use a different phone, wait at least five minutes before calling back. A genuine police officer will not mind waiting while you check.

•        Police and banks will never ask you to give out personal details such as account numbers or PIN numbers.

•        If you have given out information which could compromise your bank account security in any way, call your bank to cancel your cards as soon as possible.

•        Never hand over money to someone at the door to be sent off elsewhere.

Anyone with concerns about such calls should contact Norfolk Police on the non-emergency number 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Alternatively, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.