Bridgend pensioner hit by £8,000 scam

A Bridgend pensioner has spoken out about an elaborate courier scam that saw him lose £8,000 to a criminal gang.

78-year-old Gerwyn Taylor of Wild Mill took a call at home in March from a man claiming to be a detective sergeant in the Metropolitan Police. 

The caller said the Metropolitan Police had two people in custody who had hacked into his bank account.

He told Gerwyn his money was safe, but warned him not to discuss the case with anyone else and gave him a telephone number to call.

Gerwyn rang the number and spoke to a woman who said she was from the head office of his local bank and told him to withdraw £8,000 and hand it to a courier for safe keeping.

Two separate couriers came - the first one did not take the money, but the second one called at 7.30pm and took away his £8,000.

Gerwyn realised he had been scammed and he went and spoke to the bank, who, luckily, returned his money to him.

Says Gerwyn:

"I felt terrible when I realised that I had been scammed as I'd lost almost all of my lifesavings.

"The callers even rang back the following day after they took my money and asked me for more cash including my ISA.

"It was very convincing and I never thought I'd get caught out and I am angry so I want other people to know about courier scams and how they work."

Age Cymru's ‘Scams and swindles' campaign is calling for more protection to be introduced for older people from scams and rogue traders.

Our Campaigns Coordinator Gerry Keighley says:

"Unfortunately, Gerwyn's story is all too common.

"Scammers are ruthless parasites without a trace of conscience and their major tactic is to target vulnerable people and wear them down, as in this case.

"With older people losing an average of £1,200 each time they are scammed, action is clearly needed to tackle this menace.

"This is why during Scams Awareness Month 2014 Age Cymru is repeating its call for government action to tackle scams against older people."