A woman has been defrauded of more than £20,000 by criminals impersonating officers from the fraud department of Gloucestershire Police — and the force is warning residents across Cheltenham and Gloucester to be on their guard.
What Happened
Fraudsters contacted the victim by telephone, claiming to be police officers working in Gloucestershire’s fraud unit. They used spoofed phone numbers that, when searched online, appeared to be genuine numbers for police stations in Hester’s Way, Cheltenham, and Bearlands, Gloucester — giving their calls an air of legitimacy.
The callers gave fake officer collar numbers and told the victim that a person had been arrested and had stored her personal documentation — including passport details — on a laptop. They instructed her to hand over sensitive information as part of an alleged investigation.
Over two separate days, the woman was kept on the phone for seven hours and then nine hours while being pressured into parting with money. In total, she lost more than £20,000.
How the Scam Works
Gloucestershire Police say the fraudsters rely on isolation and psychological pressure. Victims are typically told to keep the supposed investigation secret — not to tell friends or family they are “assisting” police. This tactic prevents loved ones from raising concerns or urging the victim to hang up.
Officers warned that scammers may already know basic details about a target — such as their name, address or date of birth — but that this knowledge does not prove they are genuine police employees.
A particular danger highlighted by police is that fraudsters can keep a phone line open even after a victim appears to hang up. Anyone who receives a suspicious call is advised to wait at least five minutes before calling 101, or to use a different phone entirely, to ensure the original connection has closed.
What Real Police Will Never Do
Gloucestershire Police have set out a clear list of actions that genuine officers will never request over the phone. These include asking for bank details, a PIN, or passwords; requesting that money be transferred to another account; asking for cash or a bank card to be handed to a courier; or asking someone to “assist” an investigation by providing any of the above. Officers will never threaten a person or state they are committing a crime by not complying.
Police Advice
Gloucestershire Police are urging residents to share the warning with elderly or vulnerable relatives and friends, who are most commonly targeted by this type of fraud. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from police, hang up and verify the caller’s identity by ringing 101 independently. Report suspected fraud to Action Fraud or to police directly.
This is a developing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101.
