Peterborough police say a senior was defrauded of more than $13,000 in a scam in which someone represents a bank official.
The woman in her 80s received a call on Wednesday from a man claiming to be from her bank, police said. He informed the woman there was $4,600 missing from her account and that an internal investigation revealed an employee stole the money.
The man advised the woman that in order to catch the suspect, she had to withdraw $4,600 from her account.
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“She was cautioned not to mention to the teller or anyone else at the bank why she was taking out the money because he didn’t want the internal investigation to be ruined,” police stated. “The man assured her the withdrawal wouldn’t show up on her account as it was for the purpose of the investigation.”
Police said the woman withdrew money and brought it to a restaurant parking lot where she was told she would meet a “bank auditor.”
She later received two subsequent phone calls stating additional $4,200 withdrawals and deliveries were needed to “solve the theft.” Police said she did so, taking money from a different bank on her third time.
After a fourth phone call, police say the woman called one of her bank branches.
In total, she turned over $13,600.
“The bank manager told her that this was, in fact, a fraud,” police said.
The suspect is described as Caucasian with a medium build, approximately 50 years old. He stands 5-foot-10 with grey hair, clean shaven and was “professional looking.”
Police advise people to never take immediate action when receiving a call or request for cash or personal/banking information.
“Always check with a trusted friend or relative to get a second opinion on whether the caller’s request makes sense,” police said.
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