AN ELDERLY couple gave away nearly £10,000 to fraudsters claiming to be police officers.

Police are appealing for information after a 69-year-old woman and 79-year-old man from the Odiham area were phoned by scammers posing as Met Police Officers.

The victims were called on the afternoon of Friday May 5.

The rogue callers told the couple they were investigating a bank fraud and that a courier would be sent to their house to collect cash in connection with this.

Later that afternoon, a man collected £9,500 from the pair.

The man is described as black, in his mid-20s, approximately 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build with short black hair and wearing a black long sleeved top and dark trousers.

If you have any information about this incident, please call 101 quoting 44170168125 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police issues guidance to ensure people protected themselves against fraudsters.

They said:

•        Never give out any personal information about your bank account to anybody over the phone

•        If you have given out information which could compromise your bank account security in any way, call up your bank to cancel your cards as soon as possible.

•        Never hand over money to someone at the door to be sent off elsewhere

•        If someone calls you claiming to be a police officer, and you are unsure if they are genuine, ask for the officer’s name and collar number. Hang up the phone and call 101, and ask to be put through to the officer. Real police officers will not mind waiting whilst you check.

•        Similarly, if someone calls at your door claiming to be a police officer, ask for their identification and call 101 to check if they are genuine.

Anyone who is concerned by similar incidents should contact police by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, please call 999.