FRAUDSTERS have conned more than £450,000 out of Warwickshire residents.
Police in the county have arrested seven people and interviewed a further 11 under caution in connection to a series of fraud cases, as part of a national month-long crackdown.
Among the alleged victims was a county resident who was defrauded out of over £100,000 by someone claiming he could help with legal fees connected to an investment scam. A 27-year-old man from London was arrested in connection.
A 66-year-old man from the Stratford area was arrested on suspicion of defrauding seven people out of more than £270,000 for building work that was either not completed or never started.
A Leamington woman reportedly transferred more than £50,000 to a fraudster who allegedly befriended her online before telling her he needed money for an operation. A 31-year-old man from Milton Keynes was arrested on suspicion of committing a romance fraud.
And a 48-year-old man and 42-year-old woman, both from the Stratford area, were questioned following allegations they took payments from multiple victims of more than £37,000 for building and gardening work that was either incomplete or never started.
Det Sgt Paul Hainsworth from Warwickshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Criminals frequently target some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The impact on these victims is often financially and emotionally devastating.
“Hopefully this activity demonstrates that police are stepping up their efforts to punish fraudsters, seize their assets and protect the public.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/5fmve842 for more advice from police about how to protect against fraud.
