PSNI Issues Warning Over Fraudulent Calls
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a warning regarding a "concerning" fraud attempt where a scammer impersonated the PSNI in a phone call about a criminal investigation.
The incident involved a resident in the south Belfast area who received a call from a number that appeared to be the PSNI switchboard.
The caller claimed the individual was connected to an investigation concerning money transfers to "narcotic-related countries" and requested the victim provide details about their bank cards and to purchase gift cards.
The victim declined to share any personal information and subsequently blocked the number.
A police inspector provided further details about the scam, stating:
"The caller was asked to 'purchase gift cards and send across the codes for those, stating that this was part of the investigation process and that the money would be returnded to them'.
"This made the reporting party suspicious, and thankfully the victim didn't share any of their personal or bank details with the caller."
The inspector emphasized the importance of vigilance, urging the public to "be alert" to such scams and reminding individuals never to disclose financial information over the phone to unknown callers.
Recent Fraud Case Involving Elderly Victim
This warning follows the PSNI's disclosure of a separate case in May where an elderly woman was defrauded of her life savings through an online scam.
The woman, in her 70s, had invested in a cryptocurrency scheme advertised online and lost "upwards of £250,000".
