HELP PREVENT COURIER FRAUD
REQUEST TO CABBIES FOR ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT FRAUD TARGETING ELDERLY & VULNERABLE VICTIMS
In recent months, several incidents have occurred in which elderly and vulnerable members of the community have been the victim of fraud. The method used by criminals is as follows:
• Victims receive a telephone call from someone claim- ing to be a police officer or other authority figure. The victim is persuaded to withdraw money or buy a high value item, such as gold bullion, or a Rolex watch. Victims often use a local taxi/PHV for the journey to and from the bank or jewellers. The items are then collected by a courier on behalf of the criminals.
• Couriers often travel by train from London and use a local taxi firm to take them to the victim’s home to collect cash and other valuables. The courier directs the taxi to the victim’s address and instructs them to wait as they go to the front door. The courier then returns to the taxi after a few minutes (sometimes carrying a package) and returns to the train station to board the next London-bound train.
• Traditionally, victims were persuaded to attend their high street bank but the success of the Banking Protocol and the closure of many high street banks has resulted in fraudsters increasingly sending victims to withdraw euros from Money Service Bureaus (MSBs) such as Bureau de Changes or post offices. Staff in MSBs tend to have less awareness of courier fraud and the warning signs to look out for and are therefore more likely to dispense cash and not alert police.
WHY IS IT HIGH HARM?
Such offences often target the elderly and/or vulnerable. Victims may be asked to travel many miles to draw out money or collect goods. Victims are often monitored by fraudsters resulting in devastating financial and phycological impact on them. These crimes are occurring nationwide.
Taxi Drivers are sometimes used to commit the offence. Like couriers, taxis services are unknowingly used by criminal networks to get to victims, transport them and collect goods or money. Efforts are being made to engage taxi drivers and other public and private partners to combat this serious offending.
PHTM SEPTEMBER 2023
A REQUEST IS MADE FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTION
• Taxi drivers are asked to be aware of this type of crime and remain vigilant.
• If a driver is asked to take an elderly or vulnerable passenger to the bank, or to a jewellery store, be aware they may have been targeted. If you are concerned this may be the case, dial 999 and report that your passenger maybe a victim of courier fraud.
• Drivers are asked to be vigilant of journeys to and from local train stations by potential couriers. If you suspect a courier is in your taxi, call 999 and explain the situation. The relevant force will be notified and deploy a police response. You will be asked to supply the taxi vehicle index, location, and destination.
Taxi/PHV drivers can also contact Crimestoppers annonymously who will share any information with the police so that the fraudsters are brought to justice. Contact them on 0800 555 111 or
crimestoppers-uk.org Find out more on courier fraud:
https://shorturl.at/cpGJ6
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