'Fraudster' caught on Ring doorbell scamming vulnerable nan out of bank card

29 December 2023 , 21:14

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'Fraudster' caught on Ring doorbell scamming vulnerable nan out of bank card

An alleged scammer was caught on a Ring doorbell as part of a plot in which a vulnerable grandmother had thousands of pounds stolen from her bank account.

The unnamed 72-year-old had taken a phone call from someone claiming to be from her bank who said they were investigating fraud relating to her account. She was told someone from the bank’s fraud team had been dispatched to her home to collect her bank card to “prevent more money being taken.” After taking her card they went to a cash machine and spent a fortune at JD Sport and the Apple store. The elaborate scheme cost the pensioner around £3,500.

Her daughter told the Liverpool Echo : “We're not daft - she's angry she fell for it. She feels very vulnerable and angry.

"She's now really anxious about her online activity - they still have her details so she's worried about something else happening. There could be other people who have been affected by this as well.

"Normally I would have picked up on the scam, but I was a bit out of it because we had been at the dentist, and my husband was at the football. The person on the phone had no distinctive accent. I do not know what they said to my mum but it was friendly and conversational.

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The person is accused of appearing at the pensioner's home and taking her bank card (LiverpoolEcho/ WS)

“They were on the phone with my mum for hours and said they would have to send someone from their fraud department to collect the card. A man came to the house and rang the doorbell and said a four digit code that she had been told on the phone, so she handed it over.

"The police are involved and they said they traced the man, wearing a white face mask. Even the police said they have never seen a case where people have come to the house and picked the card up."

She added the whole situation "is very frustrating" and feels like the scam is not being taken seriously by investigators. She added: "The card was used in a hole in the wall so they must be able to trace the scammers on camera."

Merseyside Police confirmed the force was investigating the report. A spokesperson said: "If you have any information about this incident, you can call 101 or DM us @MerPolCC quoting reference number 23001272369 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Antony Thrower