Londoners are being warned against a growing scam known as ‘courier fraud’, which has raked in £750,000 across the capital over the past few months.

The fraudsters, who pose as official authority figures to dupe their victims, have been targeting elderly people in particular.

Police are urging people to be wary of calls, texts or emails asking for financial details and reminded the public that they would never ask them to be part of an ‘anti-fraud’ investigation.

This scam asks victims to take part in such an investigation, as the fraudsters claim to be bank or police staff looking into a case involving fake bank notes.

They instruct the victim to take out large amounts of cash – typically between £3,000 and £7,000 – before collecting it from their home for ‘analysis’.

In other instances they have asked for the victim’s card and pin details or have asked them to transfer money into a ‘safe account’, which they in fact control.

While the victim is assured that the money will be safely returned to their account, the scammer makes off with the cash.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Miles, from the Met’s Fraud and Linked Crime Online unit, said: “This is a particularly despicable deception targeting elderly and vulnerable people, preying on their trust of authority figures.

“The fraudsters lack any moral compass or conscience and are expert in manipulating people to give up confidential information.

“If you or someone you know is contacted by an individual claiming to be police or the local bank and asks you to help with an anti-fraud operation, hang up and either contact your bank directly or call 999.”

If you fall victim to this type of crime or receive any suspicious calls, report it to the police or via action fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk