Three people are arrested for scams on elderly in Down and Antrim

Three people have been arrested following a spate of scams across counties Down and Antrim.
Three arrests were made after a spate of scams in counties Down and AntrimThree arrests were made after a spate of scams in counties Down and Antrim
Three arrests were made after a spate of scams in counties Down and Antrim

Two, aged 46 and 55, have been charged with a number of offences, including fraud by false representation and burglary (dwelling).

They are expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court tomorrow. As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

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A 52-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation has been released on bail, pending further inquiries.

In one of the incidents which police are investigating, a woman in her 70s in Bangor was persuaded to withdraw cash for a man to check. He then took the money and did not return.

In Newtownabbey, a woman in her 90s was tricked into leaving her bank card to be photographed by a man who claimed to be from a fraud team. She later discovered a sum of money had been taken from her account.

In south Belfast, a woman in her 80s was tricked by a man claiming to be a telecoms provider. He claimed money had been taken from her account and asked to check her bank card.

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Even though no address details were passed, he turned up at her home in the Four Winds area, pushed past her causing her to fall, and then fled with her bank card.

Detective Inspector Joanne Harris said: “I want to take this opportunity to encourage people to take extra precautions to protect themselves and I also want to appeal to family members to do all they can to let their loved ones know, especially those who are older and vulnerable, to never give out their financial details without official verification from their bank.

“Tell them that if they’re at all suspicious about a call they receive, hang up and phone the organisation the person is purporting to represent to check their authenticity.

“Scammers are creative and will do whatever they can to con people out of money. They don’t care who their victim is, they just want the money and will employ whatever tactic is necessary.

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“Guarding your personal and banking details is essential. Never disclose them to any unauthorised person.

“Anyone concerned they have been a victim of a scam either report the matter to Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040. Police can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101.”

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