Police say most of the people targeted are aged in their seventies and eighties and live throughout the Belfast area
Police have issued a warning after an 'impersonation scam' in which £20,000 has been lost in the last five months.Detective Chief Inspector Ian Wilson from the PSNI’s Economic Crime Unit says, since late November of last year, there have been 29 reports of this nature made to police.A spokesperson said most of the people targeted are aged in their seventies and eighties and live throughout the Belfast area, with one report in Co Down.
“While a number of people realised this was a scam and no money was lost, unfortunately, some others believed it was genuine. Consequently, a significant amount of money has been lost, and that is really distressing for those impacted. They believed this caller to be genuine and due to the fear he instilled in them with threats of arrest to themselves or family members, they did what they thought was the right thing.
Detective Chief Inspector Wilson says being scam aware gives people “the power to stop scammers stealing your money and personal information".
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