Fake cops help con islanders out of £736,000

Monday 12 November 2018

Scammers have conned islanders out of nearly three quarters of a million so far this year, a massive increase on previous years.

Despite the year not having yet concluded, 20 islanders have lost a combined total of £736,000 – over eight times last year’s scamming total of £86,347 for the same period.

Overall reports of online frauds and scams have also rocketed, with 172 people reporting being targeted compared to 81 in 2017. 

The Jersey Fraud Prevention Forum said that this mostly comes as a result of criminals using sophisticated “social engineering”, involving posing as ‘trusted’ characters, such as bank, police or utility company officials, in order to trick islanders out of their cash.

Pictured: JFPF said that fraudsters had been posing as trusted individuals like policemen in order to steal local people's cash.

Jersey residents are now being urged to be extra vigilant online, especially ahead of this year’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas period.

JFPF Chairman Detective Chief Inspector Chris Beechey commented:

“In an increasingly digital age, we are all exposed to the possibility of being defrauded online. But living in Jersey we can often be too trusting. We need to remember that people aren’t always who they say they are. 

“Impersonation and deception scams are becoming common place. If you get a call, text, email or social media message asking you to disclose your personal or financial information, you should always double- check that the request is genuine.”