A SCHEME aimed at identifying potential fraud victims has prevented four elderly people being conned out of £48,500 in just over 24 hours.

On Thursday, May 3, two men - one aged 85, the other aged 78 – were contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer in York.

The caller claimed there had been suspicious activity on their bank accounts and said they needed to withdraw money to aid the investigation.

The first man was convinced to withdraw £13,000, by claiming to his bank it was for a family wedding, and the other £8,000.

On the same day, an 80-year-old Harrogate woman was manipulated into attempting to withdraw £7,500 from her bank in Harrogate by stating to her bank it was for her son’s wedding.

The following day, Friday, May 4, in another similar incident, an 86-year-old Knaresborough woman tried to withdraw £20,000 from her bank. She had been told by the fraudsters to purchase a watch with the money from a jewellers in Harrogate and then to take it home to be collected by ‘police’ later.

Staff at a Lloyds Bank in York, a Yorkshire Bank in Harrogate and a Barclays Bank in Knaresborough realised that their customers were victims of fraud, alerted North Yorkshire Police under the Banking Protocol, and prevented the transactions.

In three further incidents on Thursday, May 3, a 75-year-old Harrogate woman, a 93-year-old York woman, and another elderly York woman were called by fraudsters claiming to be police officers and asked to withdraw money.

All three women realised they were victims of fraud and either alerted North Yorkshire Police directly or through their banks, who in turn alerted the force under the Banking Protocol.

Investigations are ongoing to catch those responsible for the offences.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Rowland, of North Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit said:

“Tackling fraud and protecting the most vulnerable people in our society is a key priority for North Yorkshire Police.

“The fact that the Banking Protocol has prevented such significant amounts of money being lost to fraudsters this week shows how collaborating with the banks and building societies in North Yorkshire can make a real difference when it matters most.

“It’s also positive that our message is getting out there and that members of our community are recognising that these types of calls are not genuine.

“They absolutely did the right thing by ending the phone calls then either alerting the police or their banks.

“North Yorkshire Detectives from the forces Economic Crime Unit are investigating these crimes and doing everything possible to catch those responsible."

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or report it to Action Fraud by visiting actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In an emergency or if a crime is in action dial 999.