North Berwick couple conned out of £29,000 by telephone scammers

A police investigation is underway after a 75-year-old woman and 82-year-old man from North Berwick were conned into transferring more than £29,000 from their accounts by a telephone scammer claiming to be from a bank on Thursday, June 22.

The caller convinced the couple to move around £4,000 into a Santander account and £25,000 into a Barclays account.

Community Inspector Andy Hill said: “Such incidents are fortunately rare, however, there are a small number of despicable individuals who specifically target the elderly and vulnerable to defraud them out of money.

“On this occasion, it appears that the caller has falsely informed the couple that this information came from a bank and, furthermore, that police were aware of the activity and would assist with the transfer.

“Often these fraudulent callers sound extremely convincing and authentic but we would urge the public to remain vigilant.

“If you are in any doubt that a call is not genuine then please hang up the phone and report the matter to your bank using either a contact number that you 100% know to be genuine or by attending at your bank in person.”