Police warn urge public to vigilant after spate of sophisticated scams

Police in Fermanagh and Omagh have issued an urgent warning to the public to remain vigilant following reports of a spate of scams and fraudulent activities.

The alert comes after several members of the public fell victim to sophisticated schemes, resulting in significant financial losses, while others narrowly escaped deception.

In one distressing case, a resident was contacted by an individual posing as a representative of their bank. The fraudster falsely claimed that money had been withdrawn from the victim’s account and persuaded them that a new bank card and card reader would be issued for security purposes.

When the promised items arrived, the scammer contacted the victim again, guiding them through the process of entering their card details into the reader.

The following day, the victim discovered multiple large unauthorised withdrawals from their account. Fortunately, the bank intervened to halt additional suspicious transactions, but not before considerable damage was done.

In a separate incident this week, another person was deceived by a fraudulent tradesman advertising services on social media. The victim paid a substantial deposit for work that was never carried out. The bogus tradesman subsequently deleted their social media profile and became unreachable via the contact number provided, leaving the victim out of pocket and without recourse.

A third case highlighted the audacity of scammers, with a man receiving a WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be his daughter, urgently requesting money. Fortunately, the man recognised the message as a scam and did not respond, averting a potential loss. Police have noted that such impersonation scams are increasingly common, exploiting trust in familial or familiar relationships.

District Commander Superintendent Robert McGowan emphasised the diverse and evolving nature of financial fraud.

“Scams can take many forms, with criminals reaching out via telephone, websites, WhatsApp, social media, and even dating platforms,” he said. “It’s vital that people remain cautious, especially when faced with unsolicited requests for money or financial details, whether online, over the phone, or through door-to-door cold callers.”

Superintendent McGowan urged residents to exercise caution even when communications appear to come from trusted sources, such as banks or family members.

“Fraudsters are relentless in their pursuit of money and will adapt their tactics to exploit vulnerabilities,” he warned. “They target anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, and their only goal is to swindle victims.”

To combat the rising threat, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has made a range of resources available to the public.

The PSNI website (www.psni.police.uk) offers crime prevention tools, practical tips, and detailed guidance on recognising and avoiding scams, including identity fraud. “Our aim is to empower people to protect themselves and stop fraudsters in their tracks,” McGowan added.

The police also encouraged victims of fraud to come forward and report incidents without hesitation. “Do not feel ashamed – you are not at fault,” McGowan stressed. “Support is available, and reporting these crimes helps us build a stronger response to tackle fraud.”

Residents who have fallen victim to scams are advised to contact their bank immediately and report the incident to the police via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or by calling 101.

Additional reporting options include Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Suspicious text messages can be forwarded to 7726 for investigation. Further advice and support are available through www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni and the ScamwiseNI Facebook page (@scamwiseni).

As scams continue to evolve, police are urging the public to stay informed and share information with friends and family, particularly those who may be more vulnerable.