POLICE in Odiham are appealing for information after a couple handed over £9,500 to fraudsters claiming to be police officers.

The incident happened on the afternoon of May 5, when the victims, a 69-year-old woman and 79-year-old man from the Odiham area, were phoned by scammers posing as Metropolitan Police officers.

The scammers 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. A man collected £9,500 at around 4pm the same afternoon.

Police would like to speak to a man who is described as black, in his mid-20s, of slim build and around 5ft 10ins to 5ft 11ins tall, with short black hair and wearing a black, long-sleeved top and dark trousers.

Anyone with information about the incident should call 101, quoting reference 44170168125, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

In response to the fraud, the police reiterated their advice to beat the conmen:

* 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 while you check.

* 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 call the police on 101. If a crime is in progress, call 999.