Five due in court after elderly Aberdeen man has over £100k stolen in 'fraud sting'

Police have arrested and charged five people in connection with a range of offences including high value fraud, drugs offences and involvement in serious organised crime across the north-east, Lanarkshire and Glasgow.

Officers were made aware of a six-figure sum having been stolen from an elderly man in Aberdeen by a person posing as a member of his bank's fraud department in January 2024.

The investigation, carried out by officers from North East Division's Cyber-Enabled Crime Team and on Friday, 19 April, saw detectives execute warrants at residential and business addresses in East Kilbride, Shawlands and Uddingston.

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Class A drugs, estimated to be worth over £1000, and over £30,000 cash were seized during the operation, and two men, aged 21 and 48, were arrested and charged in connection with the fraud.

Another two men, aged 22 and 25, and a 44-year-old woman were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences.

All are due to appear Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Monday, 22 April, 2024. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Detective Sergeant Dave Williamson, of the Cyber-Enabled Crime Team, said: “Police Scotland is committed to tackling cyber-enabled organised crime and this operation underlines our dedication to the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Organised crime groups use technology to target victims, whom are often the most vulnerable people in our communities. These scams are not always easy to spot and anyone can be fooled.

"If in doubt hang up and contact the bank using the phone number on the back of your card or official paperwork. If the caller is genuine, they will understand your hesitation, don’t feel pressured to handing over details or withdrawing money.

“If you, or anyone you know, has been a victim of cyber-enabled crime, the circumstances can be reported to Police Scotland on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”