A NEW spate of telephone money scams is targeting residents of West Dorset.

Police are appealing to victims of any unreported incidents in the Weymouth andDorchester areas to come forward.

The most recent incidents started on Sunday, February 22 and have been continuing since.

Victims were targeted over the phone with the fraudsters claiming to be from various banks’ fraud or protection departments.

Detective Inspector Andy Roberts said: “The offenders are highly convincing, using sophisticated tactics to persuade people of their legitimacy, and have conned various victims into handing over tens of thousands of pounds in this recent spate alone.”

During these incidents, the victims have been told by the caller that their bank accounts have been compromised in some way. They are encouraged by offenders to hang up the phone and immediately call the police or their banks to report what has happened. The offender, unbeknown to the victims, has remained on the line and pretended to be the person who the victim was trying to reach.

The victims, with confidence that they are speaking to a legitimate advisor, have then been instructed to transfer significant sums of money into the offenders account either online or by visiting their local bank.

In one incident the victim, a pensioner from Dorchester, was told by the offender that someone called John would turn up at her home to collect her bank cards and details. At around midday on Monday, a man arrived at the address on Garfield Avenue and took the victim’s cards.

DI Roberts added: “I would like to hear from any members of the public who may have seen a man acting suspiciously in this area at the relevant time. I am particularly interested in a man described as black with a round faced and noticeably scarred or marked skin, of medium to large build and wearing a brown jacket.

“There have been a number of these offences, most recently targeting West Dorset, which we are investigating and making progress with.

“We are appealing to any victims that have experienced similar incidents to come forward and report them to us in order to help with our ongoing investigation.

“I cannot emphasise enough, that public awareness of these crimes needs to be spread throughout the county, in particular to the elderly and vulnerable, as quickly as possible to avoid more losses.

“I would like to stress that the police would never ask for anyone’s bank details over the phone and likewise, we would never ask that cash be handed to a courier.

“Anyone who receives a call, similar to these described, should not use the phone that they received the call on to phone the police but rather use a mobile or a neighbour’s phone.

“I would also ask family members and neighbours of vulnerable people to report any concerns to the police.

“I strongly urge everyone to be vigilant and to make sure they take note of our crime prevention advice.”

Anyone with information about such scams should call 101 quoting incident number 2:229.