Police have detailed the disturbing tactics crooks are using to target victims over the age of 70. Criminals are said to be using ‘increasingly sophisticated and persistent courier fraud tactics’ which are ‘driving significant financial harm to victims’, according to police. Courier fraud takes place when criminals contact a victim by phone and convince them to hand over money or their debit or credit card. READ MORE: The disturbing digital trail left by racist monster who raped Sikh woman he thought was Muslim New figures
indicate reports rose by almost 10 per cent year-on-year, rising from 1,721 in 2024 to 1,891 in 2025. Over the same period, total losses climbed from £19.5 million to more than £21 million, with the average amount stolen per victim now standing at £15,311.08. Detective Superintendent Ollie Little, from the City of London Police, said: “Courier fraud is a cruel and calculated crime that targets trust, often focusing on older and or vulnerable people. “Offenders are becoming more organised and persistent, sometimes maintaining contact with
victims for days or weeks to maximise what they can steal. “Criminals are also evolving their tactics, increasingly using messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and courier services to facilitate collections. “These changes are making fraud harder to detect and emphasise the need for greater public awareness, particularly among those most at risk and their families. “It’s vital that people know the warning signs and feel empowered to stop, question and verify before taking any action.” READ MORE: Secret to getting the best of BirminghamLive’s stories
London remains the primary hotspot for courier fraud – te capital and surrounding regions account for around 65 per cent of all victims. Its strong transport links are thought to enable offenders to operate across neighbouring counties including Hertfordshire, Essex, Surrey and Kent. A key feature of this threat is the ‘disproportionate targeting of older people’, particularly those aged 70 and above. This group makes up majority of victims, with those aged between 76 and 96 accounting for around 62 per cent of all reports.
Fraudsters often ‘deliberately focus on older victims, exploiting trust in institutions such as the police and banks, as well as using pressure tactics, fear and urgency to manipulate them into complying with instructions’. A growing trend identified in 2025 involves the use of jewellery and gold to carry out high-value frauds. In many cases, victims are persuaded to visit jewellers to purchase expensive items before handing them to a courier. This method often results in the highest amount stolen and can involve repeat victimisation, with
offenders maintaining contact to extract as much money as possible, police said. Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here . According to police, courier fraud typically begins with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or bank employee. Victims are told their account is at risk or that they are assisting with an investigation, before being told to withdraw money, purchase items or disclose sensitive information. A courier is then sent to
collect the items – such as jewellery, cash, bank cards and PINs. In reality, this is the work of criminals and anything handed over is lost. Signs to look out for include: Your bank or the police will never ask you to transfer money to a safe account. Your bank or the police will never send a courier to your home to collect bank cards, cash, or other valuables such as jewellery Contact the organisation directly using contact details you know are correct, such as
those on official websites, the back of your card or by calling 159 for your bank Don’t trust the Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID You can report suspected scam calls by sending a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the caller’s number If you think you have been a victim of fraud contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the website: reportfraud.police.uk
courier fraud, over-70s, City of London Police, WhatsApp scams, WhatsApp courier fraud, bank impersonation, police impersonation, jewellery fraud, gold fraud, Report Fraud 0300 123 2040
My grandma got one of these calls but they hung up when she asked for a name.
Wait so they actually send a courier now? That sounds like something from a scam movie. Like how do they even get the card info if it’s a “drop off” thing.
This is why I don’t answer the phone unless it’s a number I recognize. But also… I swear WhatsApp calls aren’t even real half the time? Like could be someone spoofing it, I don’t know. Either way people over 70 should just not trust anybody, period.
Bro 10% more reports but losses only like a couple million more… so are these guys getting better or are cops just getting more reports? I’m in the Midwest so maybe it’s different but “courier fraud” sounds like they’re literally picking up cash. Also why is London always the hotspot like it’s the only place scammers can exist. My aunt says she got a text about a package and it was probably the same scam, but she didn’t even buy anything lol.