Elderly Bournemouth woman conned: do you recognise this man?

Following a fraud theft offence involving a Bournemouth woman aged in her 80s, police have issued CCTV images and are appealing for anyone who recognises the man to get in touch.

In the early afternoon of Monday 14 May a man called the victim’s landline claiming to be from HSBC and stating they were renewing her bank cards.

The victim was asked to put her latest bank statement and bank cards into an envelope ready for collection the same afternoon. The man also asked for the victim’s PIN number, which she gave over the phone.

She told the man she did not like giving out her PIN number and he became angry and said if she didn’t believe him to look on the back of the card and call the legitimate number for the bank.

The victim hung up and dialled the number and spoke to the man who introduced himself as being from the HSBC fraud department. However, it was the fraudster who had remained on the line.

While on the phone to the first man, the male suspect rang the door to her flat on Poole Road and said: “Envelope.” When she refused to hand it over, the man on the phone became aggressive and threatened to cancel everything with the bank.

The victim then returned to the door, but the suspect grabbed the envelope from both of her hands and ran off.

Later the same day, the victim’s bank cards were used on two occasions to withdraw a total of £1,000. The money has been refunded by the bank.

Detective Constable Nicky Sharpe, of Bournemouth CID, said, “This was a despicable and targeted crime on an elderly woman in the very place she should have been safe.

“The suspect and his accomplice used underhand tactics to convince their victim to hand over her bank cards and personal information for their own greed.

“As part of our initial enquiries, I am now in a position to issue a CCTV image of the suspect in this case and I would urge anyone who knows who this man is to please contact Dorset Police immediately.

“The victim in this offence made efforts to check the validity of the caller but unfortunately the offender was able to disrupt her efforts and convince her that he was legitimate.

“I would like to reiterate that no bank will ever ask for a PIN number and this personal information should never be given.”

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team have been carrying out high-visibility patrols to offer reassurance and advice to the community.

For further advice about fraud offences, please visit www.dorset.police.uk.