Fraud Protect Team

Avon and Somerset Police were assisted by the Fraud Protect Team in dealing with a woman who had sent £207k to a man they believed to be in a relationship with. On visiting the victim, photos of who the victim thought they were talking to were provided to a Protect Officer. The victim initially thought that by providing these it would prove the person was genuine, instead the images were reverse imaged searched and proved to be stolen images.

The victim was shocked and devastated by the findings, however as a result did cut contact with the fraudster. A referral was made to Victim Support who have a dedicated romance fraud support officer. A Vulnerable Victim Notification (VVN) was submitted which provides police an opportunity to highlight any ongoing risk of financial loss and in turn the bank can implement additional safeguarding measures. Finally, a guide to ‘dating safely online’ was provided which can be used as a check list to identify fraudulent profiles in the future.

Our Regional Fraud Protect Officer coordinated the South West’s response to national week of action focussed on courier fraud.

Fraud Protect Officers in all five regional forces visited jewellery stores on high streets and in town centres to raise awareness of this type of fraud, educate them on the tactics used, and explain how to spot potential victims who may be being coerced into purchasing jewellery, watches or gold bullion.  

Where victims have been manipulated into buying goods at jewellery stores, they are often instructed by the criminals to use taxis to take them there. With this in mind, officers visited local taxi companies to advise them on the signs to spot and suggested key questions to ask should they suspect their passenger is being pressured into making the journey. 

Fraud Protect Officers from SWROCU contacted taxi licensing authorities in the region who welcomed their insight and have vowed to assist by educating drivers about the tell-tale signs to look out for when carrying passengers.  

Read more: Over £1.1million lost to courier fraud in the South West in the last year

Brian* was bought to the attention of Avon and Somerset Police after he attempted to withdraw £15k from his bank. When challenged on the transaction he could not provide a satisfactory reason for the withdrawal and it was therefore refused.

Brian was visited by officers and deemed no further action was required. Fraud Protect visited Brian to try and establish what type of fraud he was a victim of however on arrival it was very clear that he was struggling with his memory, he could not even recall attending his bank.

Due to his confusion, an established support system could not be identified and without that he was certainly an adult at risk. Fraud Protect attended his GP surgery in an attempt to learn more about Brian’s needs as memory issues were evident. Sadly, his practice had not followed up three failed memory assessments due to him not attending his appointment.

His pharmacy had four months of uncollected medication and not passed this information on to his GP. It was also discovered that his debit card had been frozen from the initial bank interaction, resulting in his meals on wheels being suspended and Brian not eating for days.

Fraud Protect made an urgent referral to Adult Social Care (ASC) which was quickly refused, and a charity was contacted who also refused to support Brian as he was not violent. A request was made to the GP to submit a referral to ASC however the surgery would not confirm they would do it. It was clear that Brian was being let down by every service that should be helping him, the Protect Team took on the responsibility to safeguard him and organised a multi-agency meeting where all concerns were presented.

Brian was finally assessed and diagnosed with late-stage dementia and deemed unsafe to live alone. He was moved to supported living where all his needs are catered for, and he receives care 24/7. Communication with his bank was established where we were able to implement the highest levels of security on his account, making him impossible to exploit financially.

Without the relentless determination of the Fraud Protect Team, Brian would have continued to be at risk of harm, but with their support he will never be at risk again.

 

*name changed to protect anonymity