Detectives investigating scams involving people claiming to be police officers want to speak to a man in connection with a report in Longridge.

On Thursday 22 October a fraudster contacted a woman in her 80s falsely claiming to be from Lancashire Police. He asked the victim to withdraw £8,250 as part of their investigation into bank fraud.

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Believing she was assisting a genuine officer, the victim went to withdraw the money from the bank and a man posing as a courier collected it later in the evening.

The man police want to speak to can be seen on the CCTV clip below walking along Springs Road in Longridge at around 5.03pm. If the video doesn’t load, watch on YouTube.

Det Sgt Ash Johnston of Lancashire Police said: “I would appeal to anyone who recognises this man to please contact us with any information they think might help with our enquiries. Likewise, if this is you, then I would encourage you to contact us.

“Scammers target vulnerable people so please make your loved ones are aware of this latest scam that is happening in Lancashire. If you do receive a call, immediately report the matter to the police as soon as possible.”

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In the past month Lancashire Police have received several reports of fraudsters telephoning elderly victims pretending to be detectives investigating ‘suspicious activity’ on their bank cards, and obtaining cash through what is known as courier fraud.

While the majority have terminated the call before disclosing bank or credit card information, others have sadly fallen victim to the scam with a total loss of more than £40,000 to date.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police: “If you ever receive a phone call from somebody stating they are a police officer and you are unsure they are who they are claiming to be, you can terminate the call and ring 101 and check that their name and collar number is genuine.

“Always ensure that you hear a fresh dialling tone because sometimes fraudsters will stay on the line after you think the call has been disconnected and pretend to be a police call handler.

“We also want to make it clear that Lancashire Police would never ask for cash or for your bank details or those of your loved ones. If you suspect a fraud is taking place or something is not quite right, always disconnect the call.”

Read more: Elderly Prestonians warned of courier fraud as money stolen from 80-year-old 

Police are also urging people to warn elderly or vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours about this latest scam.

If anybody has information that could help this particular investigation – or you believe you or a loved may have been the victim of this scam – call police on 101 quoting log 1025 of October 22.

For help and advice about how you can stay safe from scammers visit Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines