‘Police’ phone scam warning to residents

Police are urging householders across East Devon to be vigilant following reports of a phone scam where unsuspecting victims are duped by fraudsters posing as police.

Reports of the scam have now been recorded in the South Hams area, with four reported incidents in Paignton last week.

One elderly man in the town was scammed out of more than £12,000 by someone posing as an officer from the Metropolitan Police, who claimed that someone had been arrested in possession of his bank cards.

This comes after a similar incident was reported in North Devon in March when a couple were duped out of £30,000.

DS Andy Penhaligon said: “Given the way that these offences have moved from North Devon into the Torbay area, we are concerned that they may progress throughout the Force area.

“We appeal to members of the public, banks and taxi drivers to be on their guard and report any suspicious activity of this nature to the police immediately.”