Police are investigating two incidents of courier fraud where elderly residents have been targeted by fraudsters posing as police officers.

The scammers have contacted victims by phone claiming to be from the police and convinced the victims to hand over large sums of cash, bank cards and PIN numbers, or to purchase items to pass on to a courier as part of an alleged police investigation.

The first incident happened in east Suffolk on Sunday 1 October and continued over a period of several weeks. Police were notified of the activity on Tuesday 28 November and two days later, on 30 November, two men were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation in connection with the incident.

The pair were taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. A 43-year-old man has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries. A 24-year-old man has been bailed to return to police on 28 February 2024.

The second incident occurred in south Suffolk on Wednesday 25 October where the victim, over the period of several weeks, was persuaded to withdraw money from their bank accounts, purchase items and hand these to a courier who attended their home address or who the victim travelled to meet with. The activity was later reported to police on Monday 4 December.

The public are reminded that banks and the police will NEVER ask someone to withdraw money or purchase items.

Officers have provided the following advice:

• Never give out personal information about your bank account to anybody over the phone. Police and banks will never ask you to give out personal details such as account numbers or PIN numbers.
• If someone calls claiming to be a police officer, ask for their identification number and police force. Hang up and call 101 using a different phone. If you can't use a different phone, wait at least five minutes before calling back. A genuine police officer will not mind waiting while you check.
• Fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ringtones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number. Ensure you can hear a dialling tone before calling police or use a friend or neighbour's telephone instead.
• If you have given out information which could compromise your bank account security in any way, call your bank to cancel your cards as soon as possible.
• Never hand over money to someone at the door to be sent off elsewhere.
• We would urge the public to check on their vulnerable friends and family to ensure they are aware of how these scams may operate and how best to protect themselves.

If anyone has received a similar type of telephone call or has any information about these incidents, please contact Suffolk police quoting Operation Portray.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For further advice, head to the Action Fraud website: www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040