Officers are urging the public to remain vigilant to courier fraud

Officers are urging the public to remain vigilant after two suspected courier fraudsters have been arrested as part of national police operation.

Yesterday (Thursday), officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) teamed up with Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU) and West Yorkshire Police in a joint police operation linked to courier fraud.

Officers carried out two warrants at addresses in Bradford following intelligence they were believed to be linked to the insidious crime type.

Courier fraud often targets vulnerable and elderly people via calls to their landline or mobile telephones from withheld numbers from someone purporting to be a police officer or figure of authority.

The criminal then proceeds to inform the victim of fraudulent activity on their bank account and sometimes claims that their bank staff are involved to deter them from contacting the bank another way.

The criminal then often directs the victim to attend their local bank to withdraw a large amount of cash and to return home where it will be collected by a police courier for examination – who is actually a criminal associate.

Alternatively, the criminal asks the victim to handover their bank card and personal information to that same courier.

The two men arrested, aged 23 and 25, have since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Work at the NEROCU continues to pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice, but officers are also determined to make sure the public feel confident and capable of challenging scammers to help catch them in the act and report them in real time.

Following the arrests, NEROCU Detective Patrick Naughten, said: “We want to empower victims and raise awareness of the complex scams being used to dupe people out of their hard earned cash.

“These criminals are experts in manipulating people and copying the methods of communication used by banks, HMRC, the police and other reputable organisations to appear legitimate.”

NEROCU officers also work with banks and community groups to educate staff and the public around spotting the signs and how to report it.

DC Naughten added: “No reputable organisation will mind if you take your time, challenge them, or ask for proof and hang up.

“If in doubt, speak to someone you trust, drop into your local bank or call the number given on your official bank statement. If you’re sent a link by text or email don’t click it, report it.”

Ramona Senior, Head of Economic Crime at the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU), said: “We are committed to protecting our communities from the threat of fraud. The networked response coordinated by the ROCUs together with City of London Police is ensuring that we are working together to identify offenders and to support victims. 

“I would encourage the public to empower themselves to stop and block fraud by accessing help and advice issued by Crimestoppers and the City of London Police.”

For help and advice visit the Action Fraud website. If you need to report a crime or suspicious activity please speak to your local police force via their website or calling 101. Remember, in an emergency, always call 999.