A man has been formally charged in relation to a series of courier fraud incidents.
According to the police, the individual allegedly persuaded victims to withdraw funds and provide them under the guise of a “nonexistent law enforcement operation” across Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, and Norfolk.
Detectives from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit collaborated with police forces in Hertfordshire and Norfolk to execute search warrants in locations such as London, Hatfield, and Norwich.
The 30-year-old suspect from Wembley, London, faces eight charges of conspiracy to commit fraud through false representation and is scheduled to appear at Norwich Crown Court on March 7.
Another male and a female individual who were apprehended during the investigation are currently on police bail while further inquiries are conducted.
Authorities confiscated multiple digital devices and relevant documents during the operation.
In January, Norfolk Police issued an alert following reports of numerous courier fraud attempts affecting residents in areas including Great Yarmouth, Downham Market, and northern Norfolk.
Courier fraud occurs when perpetrators contact victims, posing as police officers, bank representatives, or officials from government agencies, among others.
Various tactics are employed to persuade victims to disclose their banking information or surrender cash, which is often then handed over to a courier.
If you have been impacted by fraud or a scam, the BBC Action Line provides links to organizations that can offer assistance. Additional information on how to protect yourself from scams can be found here.
