AN ALERT has been sent out after the Stroud dialling code is being targeted by fraudsters.
Multiple incidents have been reported recently.
On each occasion the fraudster said they were an officer from Brixton or Metropolitan police, stating they had caught someone with a clone of the victim's bank card.
One of the intended victims was 90-years-old.
During the fraud, the victim is instructed to "hang up" the phone and dial 999 or 101 to confirm the call is genuine.
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However, when the victim puts the phone down and re-dials, the call is not disconnected and the fraudster has remained on the line.
Victims are then asked to take part in a "covert investigation" whereby they have to withdraw cash, purchase foreign currency, jewellery, or other items, which they are told must be handed over to a "police courier" because they are needed as "evidence".
The average victim of courier fraud in Gloucestershire is 80 years old and will lose £9400.
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