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Courier Fraud

Good Afternoon,

You may have already seen the below on our website/social media however I will make no apology for duplicating this information. We have had further reports and I would urge you all to have a read and ensure elderly relatives/neighbours/friends etc are aware of this very convincing scam!

News:- Police praise quick thinking Market Harborough residents

Two Market Harborough residents are being praised for their actions after their suspicions prevented them from becoming victims of a scam.

Both residents were contacted via telephone by someone claiming to be a police officer from the Metropolitan Police.

The calls were made around 10.30am today (Wednesday 11 December) within minutes of each other. The bogus police officer claimed the occupant’s bank accounts had been compromised.

The suspect advised them they can check his authenticity by calling 999 but that he would stay on the line while they did that. That is a common method used by fraudsters where they remain on the line and claim they are through to the appropriate service and the officer is genuine.

Luckily both residents became suspicious and reported their concerns to the police using a different telephone.

Last week the force issued a warning advising people about the scam and the steps to take to reduce their chances of becoming a victim.

https://www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2019/december/police-issue-warning-about-courier-fraud/?fbclid=IwAR1HjwkcmNLH19mmPxk9zOakTcvsDBpBkU4Kw-VFNlwmgL6YQWHrUztRGGM

These types of offences are commonly known as courier fraud and often elderly and vulnerable people are being targeted by the fraudsters.

We would urge anyone reading this to think about elderly relatives and neighbours and ensure they are aware of this scam. We know not everyone accesses information online so it’s important to pass this warning on.

Please visit Action Fraud on the below link for further information:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraud?fbclid=IwAR2U17-HIHlXBQd1GzRSwCFDjrbU7v7nql4RMhto3_btRGonWNr1nf6YFAc

 

Message Sent By
Kelly Tones (Police, DNO, Eastern counties, leicestershire, )

 

Rutland Neighbourhood Watch Brief

Local Crime Alert

Since the last Neighbourhood watch brief we have had one report of a burglary residential to a secured dwelling in Blackthorn Close, Uppingham. Unknown persons have gained entry via a rear window. It is unknown if any property was taken. This incident occurred between 04/12/2019 07:30 & 04/12/2019 07:38.
One report of theft from a vehicle in The Avenue, Exton. Unknown persons have removed vehicle tow bar. This incident occurred on 03/12/2019 at 15:30.
One report of criminal damage in Brooke Rd, Oakham.  Unknown persons have damaged vehicle paintwork. This incident occurred between 06/12/2019 16:05 & 07/12/2019 11:00.
One report of theft from a vehicle in Ryhall Rd, Great Casterton. Unknown persons have removed both number plates. This incident occurred between 08/12/2019 10:30 & 08/12/2019 11:51.

Events

Beat Surgery at Ketton Hub on 10th Dec between 10:00 & 11:00
Beat Surgery at Lodge Trust, Market Overton on 12th Dec between 15:30 & 16:30
Beat Surgery at Buttercross, Oakham Market Place on 21st Dec between 14:00 & 15:00

Latest News

Police issue warning about courier fraud – Officers investigating a number of incidents of fraud have issued a warning to others after an elderly couple were among the victims.
Since October this year the force has received five reports relating to offences commonly known as courier fraud.

Courier fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone claiming to be a police officer or bank official. The caller sounds plausible and may confirm the victim’s name and address, basic information which could be obtained easily.

In some instances, after trust has been gained, the fraudster will claim money has been withdrawn from the victim’s account by staff within the bank. They persuade them to go their local branch and take out a large sum of money from their account. The fraudsters then send someone to collect the money from the victim’s home address.

This was the case for an elderly couple from Oakham who in October were contacted in this way. Following that initial call they were contacted again two days later and informed that half the cash that was collected was counterfeit.  The victim was persuaded to withdraw more money however the staff at the bank became suspicious and contacted the police to report their concerns.

In another incident in November a woman in her 60s in Market Harborough was contacted by a man who claimed he was a police officer from a police station in London. The man stated he was investigating fraud at a major bank.  The fraudster persuaded the victim to attend her local branch and a taxi was arranged to take her there.  Fortunately the local taxi firm knew the victim and became suspicious.  They helped the victim contact the force and report the incident.

Paul Wenlock from the force’s economic crime unit, said: “Luckily in two of the five cases the fraud was prevented by either a third party or the victims themselves who became suspicious.
“This type of offence is of great concern to us. Suspects are targeting, in some occasions, elderly or vulnerable people.  They sound genuine and gain the trust of the victims.
“The police or banks would not contact people in this way. If you get a call like this hang up.  If you need to contact your bank to check wait five minutes as fraudsters can stay on the line even after you have hung up, or use a different line altogether.  Your bank cards are yours and never let them be used by others.

“We are asking people to remain vigilant. If you have elderly neighbours or relatives who don’t access our website or social media sites please advise them of these incidents.
“At times the fraudsters use local taxi firms to transport potential victims to their banks. We would ask taxi companies to be mindful of this and if they have any suspicions to contact the police immediately.

“Further advice about the scam can be found on the Action Fraud website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraud and the steps people can take to protect themselves.”

Anyone with information about a crime in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland can:
Email contactus@leicesteshire.pnn.police.uk
Visit our website https://www.leics.police.uk/
Call 101 (always call 999 in an emergency)
Call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 11

Message Sent By
Will Ryan (Police, Enquiry Officer, Rutland)

 

Rutland South Crime report for November 2019

Rutland South Crime report for November 2019

 

 

5th –  Gunthorpe  – theft of 2 x old type land rovers.

 

13th – Ketton – theft of plant machinery overnight

 

29th – Morcott – 2 x vans broken into at 01:35 hours – nil taken

 

30th – Ketton  – business broken into –  4 x persons arrested and helping with inquires.

 

 

As part of our ongoing drive to reduce demand did you know that you can report a “NON EMERGENCY” crime and find lots of useful information on our new improved web site. www.leics.police.uk

which can be accessed via the Rutland App under reporting crime

 

Current local priorities:

The joint Rutland North and Rutland South priority remains as Rural Crime in relation to Burglaries, car crime and theft. We have not had any burglary dwelling on the south this month but other areas have, so please look at your security measures on any lockups, garages, sheds or outbuilding. If you can make it difficult for anyone to get into the rear garden even better as this is the preferred point of entry for burglars. Preferred items for them to steal is Jewellery and cash so please keep these safe.

We have also had a number of reports relating to vehicle crime this month. We are running a force-wide operation at present as last year we saw an increase in theft from vans in as the darker nights drew in. These crimes we believe are being committed by cross border criminals so we continue to work with boarding forces to tackle this issue. Please continue to remove all property – remember ’if you leave it on show it will go’. Look to park your vehicle in a well-lit area, look to manoeuvre your van to make it difficult to open any side or rear doors. We will look to do some property marking events throughout the month.

We are also seeing an increase of theft off or parts from older type land Rovers. If you know anyone who owns one could you make them aware?

 

We’ve not had any lead theft this month although other forces are still seeing theft of lead from church roofs. Please keep a lookout especially in the evenings/overnight and report or make a note of any suspicious vehicles and the registrations in the area. (Please email me).

 

We continue to run a vehicle enforcement campaign throughout Rutland for speed and anti-social driving. We will be out in villages and towns with the speed laser gun.

 

We will continue to work closely with the local residents and will alert you as soon as crime is reported and ask that if anything suspicious is seen to report through either 999 or 101.

Our next beat surgery.  We will be at Ketton Hub on Tuesday 10th December 2019 between 10 – 11 am for you to pop down and discuss any issues you may have. If you would like your local beat team to join you for a surgery/coffee morning to discuss any merging issues or maybe a vulnerable person you feel could do with some extra support or help – let Andy or I know and we will try and fit you in.

 

If you see a crime taking place or something suspicious please call 999 noting as much detail as possible including time, location, descriptions, direction of travel from the scene, make and model of any vehicles and if possible any registrations. For any non-emergency incidents or to pass any intelligence call 101 (call costs 15p for entire call) or you can email your local Police officer Pc 2113 Pete Icke on Peter.icke@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk

Please also visit the force website www.leics.police.uk for more information on what’s going on in your area, what our present problem solving plans are and when we are holding our next beat surgery. From this site you can also fill in a consultation form for any issues you would like to share or leave a message for your local neighbourhood policing team.

 

PC 2113 Pete Icke | Eastern Counties – DNO NR37 Beat

Rutland South Beat Officer

(    Telephone 07967 589225

Email: peter.icke@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk

+ Address Oakham Police Station – Station Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6Q