Avon and Somerset Police warn of telephone scam after two victims conned out of £15,000

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to be on their guard against a telephone scam which involves a fraudster claiming to be an Amazon official.

Officers are aware of three such incidents in the region, with two victims losing a combined total of nearly £15,000.

The bogus official called the victims on their landline and said they were from Amazon and querying either an issue with a payment or a problem with the victim’s Prime membership.

A long conversation follows in which the caller talks to the victim, distracting them from looking at their device, while money is quickly transferred from their bank, or even an application for a loan made while the banking session is open.

Police have warned: