Increase in “Fake Banker and fake Courier” Scams in Loire-Atlantique

Loire-Atlantique police officers are witnessing an increase in so-called “fake banker and fake courier” scams. This Monday, they therefore call for vigilance. Elderly people are mainly targeted, notably those who live in La Baule.

A Complex Fraud

The victim first receives an alert message: a SMS, an email, or a phone call supposedly from their bank. The fraud is very sophisticated, as the police explain, “scammers use techniques to display the real number of the victim’s bank, making the message or call credible.” This message indicates that an unusual operation or suspicious withdrawals have been detected on the bank account. The victim is then asked to contact a number urgently to dispute their transactions.

A Fake Courier to Retrieve Funds

Once the victim calls the number, they are contacted by a “bank employee” who explains that, to secure their funds, they must be withdrawn and handed over to an “investigator” – the fake courier. This individual will then come to the victim’s home to collect the money.

The police warn that these scammers are particularly targeting residents of La Baule, but cases have also been reported in the Nantes metropolitan area. They urge anyone who believes they have been targeted by this scam to contact the police promptly.