SCAMMERS stole £5,000 from a man in his 80s after claiming to be police officers who needed his help.

The victim was one of several who have been targeted in the Alderholt area and police have now appealed for help to trace the offenders.

At around 11.30am on Monday February 8 the victim received a call from a man claiming to be a detective from Manchester police and asked for his assistance in catching a man who had obtained a large amount of counterfeit money from the victim’s local bank.

He was put through to a woman claiming to be from the bank before he spoke to the man again, who asked the victim to withdraw £7,000 from the bank so police could check whether it was genuine or not.

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The victim was only able to withdraw £5,000 and arrangements were made for someone to come and pick the money up.

At around 2.30pm on Monday February 8 a black man wearing a face mask came and collected the money.

Two further similar incidents were reported in the Alderholt area - one on the same day and another on Thursday January 28 - where elderly residents were contacted by people claiming to be from the police and asked to withdraw money. On these occasions no money was handed over.

Fraud investigator Shane Cherrett, of Dorset Police, said: “We are carrying out a full investigation into these matters and I am appealing for anyone with information that might assist our enquiries to please come forward.

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"We believe the man who collected the money may have been waiting in the Alderholt area on the afternoon of Monday February 8 and I would ask for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the vicinity to please contact us.

"Finally I would urge people to make sure any vulnerable elderly family members, loved ones or neighbours are aware of this scam. Anyone who is contacted in similar circumstances is asked to please report it to us."

Information to Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55210023725, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.