Dorset Police are warning the public after reports of phone scams, with offenders claiming to be from Microsoft, in the county and are appealing for other victims to come forward.
One incident occurred, Wednesday 5 August 2015, in the Weymouth area.
A male offender called the victim, a local man in his 40s, claiming he was from Microsoft and could assist with a virus on the victim’s computer.
The fraudster tried to trick the victim into paying an amount of money into a foreign bank account for the services and requested his bank account details.
A similar incident occurred on Tuesday 4 August 2015 in the Bournemouth area.
The victim, a local man in his 80s who had recently bought a new laptop, received a call from a man also claiming to be from Microsoft.
In this incident, the offender gained remote access to the victim’s computer and said he would help with the setting up process. He then requested a significant sum of money from the victim for the services. This was paid in to a foreign bank.
Professional analysis of the victim’s laptop, after the incident, showed that it had been attacked maliciously by the offender.
On both occasions the offender is said to have spoken with an Indian accent.
Detective Sergeant Alan Marks, of Dorset Police’s Force Intelligence Bureau, said:
“I would like to bring these incidents to the public’s awareness.
“As with all phone scams, offenders can be highly convincing and I ask people to remain vigilant and ensure friends and family are also aware of such offences.
“I am also appealing to anyone in the county who has been targeted by these scams to report them to the police.”
Anyone with information about such scams should call us on 101 quoting incident number 5:85. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.
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