A 60-YEAR-OLD Salisbury woman has been conned out of £85,000 by fraudsters posing as police officers.

DI Tony Hubbard of Zephyr said: “Despite high profile publicity around courier fraud over the past six months, people – particularly those in the vulnerable over 60 age group – continue to fall prey to the fraudsters.

“Everyone has a role to play in helping to combat this particularly despicable form of crime and we would appeal to three broad groups of people to help us prevent further crimes from being committed.”

DI Hubbard asked children, grandchildren, relatives and friends of the elderly and vulnerable to share his advice and if concerned, ask questions.

He also asked taxi company owners and drivers to be vigilant, especially if approached or asked to courier small packages to London on behalf of elderly people.

And, thirdly, he asked banks and other financial institutions – and in particular counter staff – to be suspicious if elderly customers draw large amounts of cash and query this.

“The fraudsters use the same format to dupe people,” DI Hubbard said.

“They contact potential victims – who are normally elderly – by telephone, purporting to be a police officer.”

The victims are then encouraged by the fraudster, who uses elaborate and convincing reasons to withdraw large sums of cash, which they are then asked to send to a destination by taxi or a courier, or by electronic transfer of large amounts to a fraudulent bank account.

A police spokesman said victims in the Devon and Cornwall and Wiltshire had been duped out of around £2million by fraudsters since March.

If you believe you have been a victim of any type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

* A man and a woman appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and money laundering offences.

Shameem Mohammed Ali, 43, and Atif Mohammed, 23, from Myrtle Park in Glasgow, were arrested by officers from Zephyr – the South West regional organised crime unit.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on December 1.