Warning after £16k stolen by man impersonating police officer

Police are urging people to be careful after an elderly man had £16,000 stolen out of his hands on his doorstep by someone pretending to be a police officer.

The victim, in his 80s, had the money taken from him at his home in Riverside, Cardiff, on Wednesday, South Wales Police said.

The man was phoned earlier in the day by someone claiming to be a police officer, who instructed the man to withdraw the cash before somebody arrived at his house and “snatched the money”.

The perpetrator was described as being black, with medium-length afro hair, and a beard covered by a medical mask. He was wearing a long-sleeved top with dark trousers.

Police said they received two reports on Wednesday from people in Fairwater and Canton targeted by scammers pretending to be police officers.

South Wales Police issued a warning, urging people to be vigilant and to look out for vulnerable relatives.

Warnings include being suspicious of all “too good to be true” offers and deals, and not to agree to offers or deals immediately.

People are also warned not to hand over money or sign anything until that person’s credentials and company have been checked, and not to send money to anyone they do not know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, and only to use methods of payment they are comfortable with.