Norwich scamming spate continues in NR2 with cold callers

The latest scam sees people pretending to be on a prison release scheme knock on doors in the NR2 area and try to convince those living in the area to pay extortionate prices for household objects.

Items being offered have included kitchen knives, scissors and cleaning products, which are usually carried in large rucksacks by groups of several people.

Norfolk Trading Standards officials have warned the fraudsters could move on to other areas of the city in the coming days.

Unthank Road is among the streets which could be targeted by scammers (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: City scamming spate continues as bogus driveway cleaners are spotted

It comes after police urged city folk to be on their guard after an increase in "more sophisticated" scams in 2023.

Incidents have seen 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.

Norwich has seen a spate of scammers since the turn of the year (Image: Newsquest)

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.

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

Inspector Craig Bidwell of Norwich police (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “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."

Anyone who sees scammers in the city should contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or Norfolk Constabulary on 101.

If someone is in danger or a vulnerable person is being targeted then 999 should be called.