Two women have been arrested following eight reports of courier fraud totalling almost £100,000 in East Lancashire in the last month. 

Earlier this week, police said they were investigating several instances of this type of fraud in East Lancashire.

Since then, officers have been made aware of further incidents, with victims having been defrauded of a total of almost £100,000 worth of cash or other items.

Lancashire Police said it is taking this extremely seriously and yesterday evening (Wednesday, October 12) a 26-year-old woman from West Bromwich was stopped on the M6 and arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

This arrest relates to three incidents where it was reported that someone posed as a police officer and told victims they need to withdraw cash from their accounts and hand it to a courier for safekeeping.

The woman remains in custody.

A second woman, 25, was arrested in Kingston-upon-Hull today (Thursday, October 12) on suspicion of fraud by false representation. She is currently in custody.

The incidents reported to police happened across Darwen, Blackburn, Accrington and Oswaldtwistle.

All victims have reported being phoned up by someone claiming to be a police officer at Lancashire Constabulary.

The caller then gave a false name and collar number, before asking them to assist with an investigation, or telling them their card had been used fraudulently and they need to withdraw a substantial amount of cash and have it changed into Euros.

In total £96,500 has been scammed out of vulnerable victims, in Sterling and Euros, along with high-value items.

While a large amount of this was handed over to the scammers, some of the victims’ loved ones intervened and advised the victims not to hand anything over.

Across the various incidents several names of police officers were given, along with collar numbers:

  • Detective Martin Rose (48522 and 522)
  •  DC Brian Gosling (5244)
  • DC Hama Long (70315) 
  • DC John Matthews (5581)

None of these names and collar numbers coupled together belong to anyone in Lancashire Police.

There may also be other incidents, which haven’t been reported to police, where a different name or collar number, or no name and collar number, have been provided.

Enquiries into all of the incidents – and whether they may be linked - are ongoing.

Police are now asking people all across Lancashire to be vigilant when it comes to courier fraud, and shared the following advice on how to prevent it:

  • Remember the police, or your bank will never ask you to assist with an investigation over the phone, withdraw or transfer money or buy high value items.
  • Make sure you verify who you are talking to. Clear the line, and phone police on 101 from a different phone, or wait at least two minutes to contact the police, or a trusted person.
  • If you have been a victim of fraud, contact your bank on their genuine number to secure your finances.
  • If you ever have any concerns, ring 101 or contact Action Fraud.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Mark Riley, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “These callous and cruel scammers have preyed on some of the most vulnerable people in Lancashire.

“Our enquiries are very much ongoing, and we now have two people in custody.

“We are now appealing to you, the public, to spread the word about courier fraud and what it looks like.

"If you and others know how to protect yourselves from it, you make it far harder for these frauds to work.

“If you believe that you, or someone you know may have been a victim of courier fraud, or you have any information about these recent incidents, we now urge you to get in touch.

"You can call 101 or report it through Action Fraud UK - Action Fraud.”