Notices

Project Prospero is West Mercia Police’s response to courier fraud which has been ongoing for a number of years. 

Typically, criminals carry out Courier Fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer, government officials, HMRC, bank official etc…. The fraudsters will then claim there’s an issue with the victim’s bank account or request their assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation.

The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details. Common techniques used by the fraudsters include telling the victim to withdraw large sums of cash, purchase an expensive item, provide their bank cards/details or transfer money. A ‘courier’ will then come and pick up the cash or items, on behalf of the police or bank. Sometimes the victim may be persuaded to transfer a large sum of money to a “safe account” rather than a courier attending.  Once the money is handed over or transferred it will be gone and the victim will never see it again.

This video from West Midlands Regional Cyber Crimes Unit explains it in more detail:

Courier Fraud – “Your debit/credit card is YOURS!” – YouTube

This video is an example of how it can work (there are other MOs):

Courier Fraud – 89 year old victim speaks out – YouTube

Sadly Operation Prospero offences are happening again with multiple offences reported across the force recently.  An elderly lady in Shropshire lost £40,000 in one of these crimes, whilst only yesterday there was an attempt in Shifnal.  These criminals are likely operating within Telford now and you need to know how to respond. 

This crime type effects all members of society, but tends to be elderly and vulnerable people who fall foul of the criminals, often losing tens of thousands of pounds (as above).  It is hugely underreported with victims (and their families) often blaming themselves or hiding that it has happened from family members.  In many of these cases, criminals are pretending to be police officers, so victims may not have confidence in the police and as officers assisting them we need to give them the best service possible.

Please make family, friends and neighbours are aware so that they do not become a victim.

Why is it called “Courier Fraud”?
The ‘courier’ part of courier fraud is there because scammers will send someone round to collect the ‘evidence’ – usually cash or bank cards complete with PIN numbers – or in some cases actually pick the victims up and take them to a bank, jewellers, or currency exchange to withdraw cash, or buy expensive items to use as collateral in the investigation. The closure of many local Banks has made it easier for criminals to use less secure outlets where their victims can withdraw cash.
So, imagine going about your usual day when your phone rings. You answer it – it’s the Police!
You are told that there’s been fraudulent activity on your bank account, and they need you to help in an investigation to get it sorted. They already have your name and address, but ask you to confirm your identity with your bank details and PIN.

You panic – this sounds serious.
They then ask you to withdraw a substantial sum of cash to use as evidence in the case, but not to tell anyone you’re helping them, as this could jeopardise the investigation and you could be arrested. They send a courier over to pick up the money, and your bank card, all of which you’ll get back as soon as the investigation is finished.  
In other cases, they may ask the victim to buy high value items such as jewellery or watches “to help in their investigations” 
But of course, You never hear from them again. You never get that money back, and this is how Courier Fraud happens.

How can you help? 

If you know what to look out for, you can help protect not only yourself, but also those you care about.
Possible signs that could show someone might be a victim.
• Are they suddenly receiving more phone calls than usual, and not wanting to be overheard?
• Do they seem anxious or withdrawn?
• Are they suddenly more concerned or secretive about their finances than usual?
• If you have access to their bank accounts, are there unusual unexplained high-value withdrawals or purchases?
• Are they experiencing sudden money issues out of the blue? 
• Have you noticed unusual visitors to your vulnerable neighbours?

Nationally, total losses to Courier Frauds exceeds £12 million and average personal losses are in excess of £4,000 with some individuals losing much higher figures.

So stay in control
If something feels wrong, then it’s usually right to question it. Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information. Neither your Bank nor the Police will ever call you and ask for your PIN, or get you to hand over your Credit Card to a courier.

Take Five To Stop Fraud

STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe. 
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. 
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

ALWAYS REMEMBER:
• Avoid disclosing security details
• Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
• Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number 
• Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
• Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams

If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk.

When it comes to looking after your personal safety and that of those in your local neighbourhood, it isn’t just physical threats we need to be aware of. With the rise in technology and the growing sophistication of opportunistic scammers, it’s important to have a conversation about how to protect your money.

One of the most prevalent financial scams is loan fraud. This is where criminals manipulate the loan process for their own gain, to either persuade victims to part with their money or steal personal information to take out a loan in your name. Unfortunately, there are certain groups that are naturally more vulnerable to falling victim to crimes of this nature. The elderly are particularly at risk, either due to their personal circumstances or a lack of understanding of modern-day scamming techniques.

Fortunately, there’s plenty of information out there to help everyone guard against these malicious crimes. Comparethemarket has produced this handy guide to loan fraud. It contains actionable advice on how to protect yourself from falling victim, information on how to recover after being targeted, and details of the legitimate loan process, so you know what to look out for if you’re ever suspicious.

By sharing this information with members of your local community, you’ll be playing your part in helping to keep everyone safe from the dangers of loan fraud and other financial scams. This guide presents all the necessary information in a way that’s accessible to everyone, so use it as a starting point to inform yourself and your community.

Source: https://www.comparethemarket.com/loans/content/avoiding-loan-fraud/

On Thursday 9^th November, we reported a suspected unlicenced doorstep pedlar in the community, the person claiming to be part of rehabilitation scheme, his behaviour, mannerism and value of goods he was trying to sell aligned with what is commonly known as a Nottingham Knocker, i.e. https://www.westmercia.police.uk/news/west-mercia/news/2022/october/beware-of-nottingham-knockers-selling-items-door-to-door

Until last Friday (10^th November), we were under the impression that West Mercia Police did not issue pedlar licences, and we have previously been encouraged to report visits by people claiming to be licenced pedlars.  We now understand from our Safer Neighbourhood Team that the person of interest was genuine, and he had a Pedlar’s Licence signed off by West Mercia Police.

To enable residents to identify between a genuine licenced pedlar and someone who is not, and to give the community peace of mind, we have obtained a copy of a Pedlar’s Licence, see below.  This will, hopefully, enable residents to make an informed decision as to whether they wish to assist someone, e.g. someone who is on a programme.

Should you receive a visit from an unlicenced pedlar, please continue to report to the police, and if the individual is licenced, do not be pressurised into buying any items.

Although vehicle crime is low across West Mercia, every winter the force receives a number of reports from drivers who have had their cars stolen after leaving the engine running, while they wait in the warmth of their home for it to heat up and defrost the windscreen.

Some vehicle owners nip inside for just a few seconds to collect a bag or finish the last mouthful of their breakfast coffee – but that’s all the time an opportunist thief needs. To ‘freeze out’ the thieves, West Mercia Police advises motorists to:

• Clear windscreens with de-icer and a scraper

• Sit in vehicles while the heater de-mists the windscreen

Drivers who ignore this advice are taking big risks. Thieves will drive around residential areas looking for likely targets – when they spot a vehicle with its engine left running on a drive or outside a home, it’s there for the taking.

One person will be dropped off, gets into the target vehicle and simply drives away.

Many of the vehicles are never recovered, and some – especially high value models such as Mercedes, BMW and Audi – may be shipped overseas.

It is also worth remembering if your car is stolen when keys have been left in it, you may find your insurance will not cover you. If your house keys are stolen along with your car, your home is then vulnerable too.

So, this winter, don’t give criminals an easy ride by leaving your car running unattended.

For many of us, today’s home is a very convenient and smart place to live, with more and more devices responding to a tap in an app or the sound of your voice. 
 

However, every device that’s connected to your Wi-Fi is also transmitting data which could be of interest to criminals, not least your speakers, voice assistants, cameras, intruder alarms, cameras, door locks and security lighting.  To find out how to protect your smart devices, read the Get Safe Online advice in the link below:

https://www.getsafeonline.org/smartdevices/

During the night of 22nd June some sheep, that were grazing off a field on Warbage Lane, were killed and some had their heads cut off, leaving lambs without mothers.

The bodies of the decapitated sheep have been taken by who ever has done this.

If anyone has any information or spotted anything suspicious around this time, or has any CCTV around this area, please contact the police, crime number:

00251_i_23062023

West Mercia Police reported an outbreak of Courier Fraud scams in this region earlier in the year and now, once again, they are raising your awareness following a spate of reports of Courier Frauds focused in the Herefordshire area.

Courier Fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victim by telephone usually claiming to be a police officer, bank official or other law enforcement official.

The caller may also be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. The caller will try and build up trust with the potential victim before proceeding.

Their aim is to get the victim to reveal their PIN, credit or debit card and /or bank details, and more than often will target the elderly as potential victims.

How does it work?

• The scammer calls you claiming to be from your bank or as a police officer and will tell you either a fraudulent payment on your account needs dealing with, or sometimes that a person has been arrested using your details and cards
• You may be asked to call the bank back to convince you the call is genuine using the number on the reverse of your card. However, the Scammer has still kept the line open so you are still touch with the Scammer
• If you do try to call your Bank back, always wait at least 5 minutes for the line to clear or use another phone
• They will either ask you for your card PIN number or tell you to key it into the phone – you should never be asked for your PIN or pass it over on the phone
• The Caller then tells you they will send a Courier to pick up your card – they may often provide a “password” to give to the Courier to make it sound even more genuine

Once they have your card and your PIN they then have access to your money.

Other versions of this scam include:

• Asking you to withdraw a large sum of cash which the police will mark and return to the banking system in an effort to identify a corrupt banking person – once you hand over the cash to the courier –  it is gone
• Scammers have also realised now that when a more vulnerable person goes into the Bank to withdraw large sums of cash the Bank staff become suspicious so the Scammer may tell the victim to withdraw the cash in Euros from a Foreign Exchange outlet
• A person claiming to be a police officer and is investigating sales of counterfeit goods then asks you to buy an expensive item such as a watch or jewellery from a specific retailer. You are then asked to hand it over to the Courier to deliver to the “Police” and again that is the last you see or hear of it.
• A further common variation is to tell you your bank account has been compromised and you need to transfer all your money into a “Safe Account”. Once again you have delivered your cash directly to the Scammer.

Protect yourself

• Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this.
• If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.
• If you think you have been scammed use the dedicated  “159” telephone number for direct access to your Bank

Police in north Worcestershire have issued some advice for motorists after a high spate of thefts of keyless vehicles in the past couple of weeks.

https://www.westmercia.police.uk/news/west-mercia/news/2023/june/ford-owners-urged-to-be-extra-vigilant-after-spate-of-vehicle-thefts/

A residents has received a cold caller wanting to know if they were interested in selling their motorhome. The caller identified themselves as J & O Motorhomes, does anyone know of them?  The incident appears suspicious and resident has been advised to report to the police.  

If the caller is genuine they have nothing to fear and we can update our community.

If you receive a cold caller, and it is not clear that they are genuine, please report https://www.westmercia.police.uk/