Detectives in Bournemouth have released CCTV footage of three people suspected to be involved in the theft of around £10,000.
The investigation relates to an incident dating back to Monday 21 September 2015 where a man had his debit card stolen from a hotel room at Wessex Hotel, West Cliff Road.
He had left his wallet in his room and when he returned he found a post-it note on the floor asking him to call a number. He called it, but there was no answer.
The victim, aged in his 70s, later received a call from someone pretending to be from his bank asking him if he had tried to cancel the card.
Assuming that someone had found his card he gave his security details including his PIN to the person on the phone and was told his new card would be with him in a few days.
After a few days he became suspicious and phoned his bank. They told him £10,000 had been withdrawn.
The subsequent investigation led detectives to discover cash had been withdrawn from banks in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Darlaston in the West Midlands, Banbury in Oxfordshire and Totton in Hampshire.
Detective Constable Matt Cooke, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This has been a very complex investigation and only now am I able to release the CCTV images of three people that I suspect were involved in the theft and fraud.
“It is possible, based on the locations of some of the transactions, the offenders may have come from another area of the country such as the Midlands.
“I am appealing to anyone who may recognise any of the individuals pictured or has any further information to contact me on 101.”
Please remember that no-one will ever ask you for your bank details over the phone, including the police, banks or any fraud investigation departments.
If you think you’ve been victimised by fraudsters or you believe a friend, family member or neighbour may have been duped, please call the police on 101.
If a crime is in progress, call the emergency number 999.
Anyone who recognises the suspects should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55150099662. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.
