A SPATE of courier fraud scams have left victims in Cheshire without thousands of pounds.

Detectives are urging residents to stay vigilant as people across the county are continuing to fall foul to fraudsters – despite a public warning from police in July.

Courier frauds are mainly committed by organised crime groups.

A member – known as the ‘victim communicator’ – makes a phone call to vulnerable potential victims, persuading them they are a police officer or work at the bank.

They then manage to get the victim to cooperate with an ‘operation’ designed to gather evidence or identify offenders responsible for a fictional offence.

The victims are asked to withdraw money from their bank, purchase an expensive item and/or provide their bank details or card to assist with the operation.

Money, items or documents are then handed over to the ‘courier’, who attends the victim’s address or meets them nearby, on the promise that the money or item will be returned or compensation will be provided.

Sadly, no compensation is provided and the money will not be returned, and in some cases this leaves the victim thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Det Sgt Chris Jacques, from Cheshire Police's economic crime unit, said: "It is particularly concerning that we are continuing to see spikes in the number of courier fraud scams targeting the most vulnerable in our communities.

"These scammers will stop at nothing to make a criminal gain and can be extremely convincing and very persistent.

"By using these methods they can often blindside their victims into believing them, before taking hard-earned money.

"It is important for the public to remember that police officers, banks and other services will never ask you to withdraw money or provide card details over the phone.

"Telephone numbers can be easily spoofed and you should never trust a number displayed on your telephone.

"Another concerning trend is that scammers have been asking victims to call back on 999, 101 or 162 to verify that they are genuine.

"This is part of the scam and they keep the line open so that the victim continues speak with the scammers believing that they are genuine officials."

Anyone who believes they have been contacted fraudulently or have been a victim of fraud should call Cheshire Police on 101 and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Information can also be reported online to cheshire.police.uk/ro/report