Norwich sees spate of 'sophisticated' scams amid warning

Attempts to con city folk have seen a massive increase since the turn of the year, with groups going door-to-door to convince them to take up dodgy contracts, pose as the police and offer shoddy work for extortionate prices.

Incidents saw one man agree to pay a large sum for a cold caller to carry out work on his patio only for a family member to stop him at the last minute and fraudsters pretending to be police detectives attempt to access victims' bank accounts.

Tricksters even stooped as low as to make a fake missing poster for an eight-year-old girl from Sprowston in order to harvest personal information.

Areas targeted included NR3, Hellesdon and Taverham, but police believe most scammers will cast their net across the city.

Inspector Craig Bidwell of Norwich police warned scammers were always coming up with new ways to trick people and added they were becoming more convincing.

He said: “Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and criminals can be very convincing.

“It is really important that people are looking out for their vulnerable friends and family. Making sure they are aware of current scams and how to best protect themselves could prevent them from becoming a victim in the future.

“We will never contact someone and ask for them to withdraw money or purchase items. If someone has called you, claiming to be a police officer and asks you to do this, it is a scam.”

Scammers should be reported to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or Norfolk Police via 101.

If anyone is in danger or fraudsters are targeting vulnerable people then 999 should be called.