WEST DORSET: Nine people have appeared in court charged with fraud and money laundering offences following telephone scams in Dorset.

The news comes after Bridport police urged neighbours back in October to alert West Dorset elderly and vulnerable residents to a phone scam that targeted 15 homes within a fortnight.

Bridport Police inspector Mike Darby also warned that scammers are using increasingly more credible ways to cheat people out of money.

The nine defendants were arrested following a joint operation in London on Wednesday, October 29 involving Zephyr – the South West’s regional organised crime unit – and the Metropolitan Police.

The scam, in which they are alleged to have been involved, sees victims receiving a call from someone purporting to be from their bank, advising them of alleged fraudulent transactions on their accounts. All nine defendants appeared at Westminster Crown Court on October 29, for a variety of offences, some of which occurred in Dorset. The alleged offences include conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Some have also been charged with money laundering. Additionally a 34-year-old man, who was also arrested during the operation, has been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.

Bridport Insp Mike Darby said: “I am very pleased to hear that we have apprehended and prosecuted these people.

“This is a reminder to everybody that people are still carrying out these phone scams, and people should look after vulnerable friends, neighbours and themselves.

“We would urge people to understand the dangers because these people are getting cleverer.”

It is believed offenders tried to get the victims to withdraw cash and either courier it to an address in London using a local taxi company or transfer the cash to another bank account for ‘safekeeping’.

But no bank or building society employee will ever ask a customer to transfer funds over the phone from one account to another, police have said.

People are being urged to dismiss any calls they receive like this and report them to police by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 – as well as passing this information on to friends and neighbours.