POLICE have released this picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with a courier fraud.
On a number of occasions in September, a man claiming to be a police officer called the victim, claiming he needed several thousand pounds for an upcoming court case.
Eventually, he told the victim to meet a ‘courier’ on Station Approach in Dorridge, where he should hand over the cash.
The money was handed over at that location 7.30pm on September 26.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We appreciate this isn’t the clearest image, but we’re hoping someone was in the area at the time and might recognise this man and his whereabouts.”
Anyone who knows who he is should call police on 101.
What is courier fraud?
The increasingly common offence sees perpetrators frequently impersonate police officers and other authority figures to demand money.
Scammers will call or email their targets, claiming to be police officers or similar figures of authority, demanding they withdraw or transfer cash.
Officers want people to know neither the bank nor the police would ever ring people to ask them to verify their PIN, withdraw cash or purchase high-value goods.
They would also never go to people’s home to collect their card, cash or purchased items. Anyone who gets a call like this should end the call.
Anyone who gets a call from their bank or the police should make sure they know who the person is before handing over any personal details. This can be done by calling the bank (using the number on the back of the card) or the police on 101. Always use a different phone line.
Anyone who is suspicious a caller is not who they claim to be can report it to Action Fraud at: actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
