Thieves targeting Epping Forest have conned elderly and vulnerable people out of £94,000 this year, police have confirmed.

Conmen have been calling people across the district in an attempt to trick them into handing over cash and credit cards by pretending to be police officers.

The crime quickly spiralled, seeing some elderly people tricked into giving away their entire savings.

At present, 155 people have been targeted in the district, more than anywhere else in the county.

So far, 36 people have handed over cash or credit cards.

Of those targeted, 34 live in Buckhurst Hill, 26 in Epping, 22 in Loughton, 19 in Chigwell, 16 in

Theydon Bois, 13 in Waltham Abbey, seven in North Weald and six in Ongar.

A man from Buckhurst Hill who was targeted and did not want to reveal his identity, explained how the criminals work.

He said: “It was Sunday evening, about 10.30pm and the phone rang. A voice said ‘this is Detective Constable Child from Lime House Police Station, Metropolitan Police’.

“He said ‘have you given your credit card to anybody?’.

“’We’ve arrested two people in Stratford Westfield Centre using cards in your name and buying goods. There were a lot of people involved, two women and more men’.

“It is so convincing. Unless you are on your guard you can be so easily caught out.”

The con men have been known to send ‘couriers’ to people’s homes to pick up cash and cards, or simply take details over the phone.

They tell the victim to call them back on 101, in an attempt to convince them they are genuine.
However, the criminal is stays on the line.

A police spokesman said: “We have noticed a real upsurge in the crime.

“This is a crime that started in Epping Forest and has spread across the county.

“Now, they have been asking people to withdraw large amounts of cash for ‘forensic analysis’.

“Some police officers have listened to the conversations and said that these people are very convincing.”

“People need to come forward if they have been a victim, they could have the information we need to stop this horrendous crime.”

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and have been bailed.