Warning issued over rise in scam calls from fake police officers in North Wales

People are being urged to be on their guard after an increase in reports of scam callers trying to defraud people out of money.

The scam call is from someone pretending to be a Detective Sergeant Martin XH391 from the Metropolitan Police, who tells the person who answers that they are calling because there has been fraudulent activity on their account.

Callers are quoted a crime reference number to make it sound genuine.

They are also being told “not to tell any family members or the bank” about the call as the police believe that they may be involved in the fraud.

North Wales Police has issued the warning after a lot of scam calls were received in the Porthmadog and surrounding area.

Officers said: “Anyone who receives such a call is being told not to give out any personal information and hang up on the call immediately.

“The police will never contact people asking for banking information or request that you withdraw money from an account to aid an investigation.

“These fraudsters often target geographical areas where they know elderly or vulnerable people live, so please help to raise awareness amongst family and friends.”