A FRAUDSTER posing as a police officer is defrauding people out of tens of thousands of pounds.


On October 10 a Kendal woman was tricked into transferring £20,000 into a 'secret police account' after a man claiming to be Detective Constable David Warren told her her current bank account had been 'compromised'.


Five days later a second woman received a similar phone call but transferred the money into her son's bank account and then alerted police when she became suspicious.


The fraudster is male and claims to be from the Metropolitan Police's Fraud Squad.


Inspector Jon Sherlock said: “Police officers will always identify themselves by name and the station they are attached to, they will never ask for your bank details.

"Unfortunately there are people out there who will attempt to obtain information fraudulently. I strongly advise anyone who receives calls like this to hang up immediately.


“If you are ever unsure if a call from the police is genuine then ask for the person’s name, collar number and the station they are attached to, then hang up. Using a different phone, as the caller may still be linked to yours, dial 101 and ask for that specific person.

"If they are genuine, the Communications Centre will be able to put you through to them.”


Both cases are currently being dealt with by Action Fraud, the UK's fraud and internet crime reporting centre.


For more advice contact Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.org.uk or contact the Action Fraud Hotline on 0300 123 2040.

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