Fraudsters posing as police officers over winter have scammed more than £70,000 from victims.

Since the start of December 27, Hertfordshire residents have been targeted by the scam callers.

The scam involves a call from either a mobile or landline number, with someone posing as an officer informing the victim there has been fraudulent activity on their bank account.

Victims were then asked for banking details, and instructed to put their bank cards and/or money into an envelope and give them to a courier or taxi, which is sent to the house by the offenders.

Recent victims were from Rickmansworth, Borehamwood, Hertford, Hitchin and Royston.

An earlier report on December 18 found victims at the time were conned a total of £8,000.

Detective Inspector Rob Burns, from the Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: “We have seen more people being targeted by this type of scam over the past month, and unfortunately some victims have lost a lot of money.

“Police officers or bank staff would never ask for people’s bank details, like a PIN, or for cash to be handed over. You should never give your bank details to anyone. Usually the intended victim realises the call is not genuine and refuses to part with their details or cash. However, these fraudsters can be very persuasive and insistent, which has resulted in some people falling victim to this scam and subsequently losing thousands of pounds from their accounts.”

Police have also issued advice for anyone receiving such calls, reminding people that police would:

• NEVER ask for your bank account details or PIN number over the phone, so do not disclose these to anyone, no matter who they claim to be.

• NEVER ask you to withdraw money and send it to them via a courier, taxi or by any other means.

• NEVER ask you to send your bank cards, or any other personal property, to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.

Anyone receiving suspicious calls should call the non-emergency number 1010, or report online at herts.police.uk/Report/Report