Police have released footage of an elderly man speaking out about becoming the victim of a gang which has stolen thousands of pounds across the district by impersonating police officers.

The man is filmed describing exactly how he was conned by the gang, who phoned him to tell him that his credit cards had been cloned.

The scam has seen scores of vulnerable people, especially in Buckhurst Hill and Loughton, unknowingly give their cards or details to the con men.

During the video the elderly man said that the gang was carrying out a sophisticated scheme against vulnerable people.

He said: “It was Sunday evening, about 10.30 and the phone rang and 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, that unless you are on your guard you can be so easily caught out.”

The countywide scam works when the gang phones somebody to tell them that they have been the victim of a fraud.

They ask the victim to call them back on 101, or 999, to verify that they are in fact the police.

Ds Rebecca Mullins explains how the scam works during the short video.

She said: “The victim is putting the phone down and picking it back up thinking they are calling their bank, however the suspects are keeping the line open and obtaining their bank details.”

Essex police have reiterated their warning that they would never ask for bank details over the phone, or use couriers.