Suffolk fraud officer: 'Even knowledgeable people fall victim to these scams'

Why it matters: Seven Suffolk residents were targeted by sophisticated courier fraud attempts in just 24 hours between 28 and 29 January, with scammers using authentic-sounding police details to build trust.

The big picture: Fraudsters are calling residents across the county, claiming to be police officers investigating suspicious bank account activity.

What they're saying: "This isn't just vulnerable people; the victims we have seen are knowledgeable people but those responsible are professionals, they know what to say and are very convincing," Detective Sergeant Jamie Adams, of Suffolk Constabulary's Fraud Assessment Unit, said.

How it works: The scammers:

• Call victims pretending to be Suffolk or Norfolk police officers

• Report supposed fraudulent activity on their bank accounts

• Convince victims to withdraw substantial quantities of cash

• Ask them to hand over money or bank cards to a courier

• Use real-sounding police names and collar numbers to appear legitimate

What you should know: Police officers will never:

• Ask for bank details or PINs

• Request cash or bank card handovers to couriers

• Demand money transfers to other accounts

• Ask for payment of fines or fees over the phone

• Request access to your computer or passwords

• Ask you to 'assist' in an investigation by doing any of the above

The bottom line: Suffolk Police are urging residents to share this warning with elderly and vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours – but stress that anyone can fall victim to these sophisticated scams.