Fake police scam Portsmouth pensioners

FRAUDSTERS posing as police officers nearly scammed three pensioners out of thousands of pounds.
Fraudsters tried to scam pensioners by posing as police officers. Picture: John Stillwell/PA WireFraudsters tried to scam pensioners by posing as police officers. Picture: John Stillwell/PA Wire
Fraudsters tried to scam pensioners by posing as police officers. Picture: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Fake officers called a woman in her 90s, from Southsea, who was told to withdraw £5,000 and tell bank staff it was needed for carpet.

Quick-thinking bank workers at Barclays on Osborne Road, alerted police at 11am on Friday '“ stopping the transaction.

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Then at 1pm bankers in Lloyds on London Road, North End, told police a woman in her 70s had been called by a fake London officer telling her to take out £3,600.

Fraudsters tried to scam pensioners by posing as police officers. Picture: John Stillwell/PA WireFraudsters tried to scam pensioners by posing as police officers. Picture: John Stillwell/PA Wire
Fraudsters tried to scam pensioners by posing as police officers. Picture: John Stillwell/PA Wire

A third pensioner, in her 70s, was called a 1.39pm by a fraudster, who again claimed to be a police officer. She smelled a rat and hung up.

Hampshire police said: '˜We commend the banking staff who intervened.'