Three individuals have been arrested in connection with a series of scams targeting elderly people in north Down, Belfast, and Newtownabbey. The incidents occurred on Monday 6 July and Friday 10 July, with victims aged in their 70s, 80s, and 90s.
A 52-year-old woman is being questioned on suspicion of fraud by false representation. Two men, aged 46 and 55, have been arrested on three counts of fraud by false representation and burglary.
In the first incident on Monday, a woman in her 70s from the Bangor area received a phone call claiming she was a scam victim. She was persuaded to withdraw cash and leave it in her car for a man to check. The man took the money and did not return.
On Friday, a woman in her 90s in Newtownabbey was told by a caller posing as a fraud team to leave her card outside her home. The card was taken, and money was subsequently withdrawn from her account. In a separate incident in Belfast, a woman in her 80s received a call from someone claiming to be from a telecoms provider. A man later arrived at her home, pushed past her, and stole her card and bank details.
Det Insp Joanne Harris urged families to protect elderly relatives, advising them never to give out financial details without official verification. She recommended hanging up and calling the organisation directly from a different phone to ensure authenticity.
