Press Releases
Scam warning after more than £80,000 lost to fraudsters
Police are warning the public to be vigilant after more than £80,000 was lost in a spate of scams reported in Northern Ireland on Wednesday (12th August).
Scammers employed a variety of means to swindle their victims. Some were cold-called at home by people claiming to be from an online retailer who were told they needed to make a payment. Others reported being threatened with arrest due to an outstanding fine or warrant.
One victim reported being swindled out of £40,000 in an online romance scam.
Another victim was duped by someone claiming to be from a telecommunications company who told them they would receive a refund of £400. While they did received the £400, unfortunately £15,000 was also taken from their account.
Another victim who had bought items for their business online reported losing £11,000. Another report saw a victim lose £16,000 in an online financial scam. Other amounts reported as being lost range from £34 to £2,200.
Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said: "As these reports
show, there is no let-up from scammers who will do whatever they can to con
people out of their hard earned money. Scammers don’t care who their victim is,
they just want their money and will employ whatever tactic is necessary.
"While some of the losses reported to us this week involved significant
sums of money to much smaller sums, we understand that any amount of money lost
to a scammer is a horrible experience for anyone.
"The threat of fraud, both online and offline, against the public is
a constant focus for us and I want to take this opportunity to again
appeal to people that on no account should anyone disclose their personal or
financial details over the phone; always err on the side of caution.
"Scammers are creative and will do whatever they can to con people out of
money.
"It’s also important that if you have older members of family, talk with them
and tell them legitimate providers will never seek their personal details, such
as banking information, over the phone. This is a really important conversation
to have.
"Guarding your personal and banking details is essential. Never disclose them
to any unauthorised person."
Any resident of Northern Ireland who is concerned that they have been a victim of a scam either report the matter to
Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk
or by phoning 0300 123 2040. Police can be contacted on the non-emergency
number 101 or you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting
form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport
The Church of Ireland is supporting the Scamwise NI campaign through the Church Leaders' Group. Information on preventing and reporting scams in the Republic is available here.
For further advice and information, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the Scamwise NI Facebook page @scamwiseni. Scamwise NI has recently issued some helpful videos which show how these type of scams can take place and the terrible impacts for the victims.
The Church Leaders Group comprises the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Primates of All Ireland, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the President of the Irish Council of Churches.