Fraudsters claiming to be from government target Sussex elderly
Telephone fraudsters have targeted elderly people in West Sussex claiming they are due thousands of pounds from fictional government departments.
Sussex Police said several people had been targeted in Chichester and three had lost money.
One of the cons involved a person saying he was from the Ministry of Finance, in Manchester.
The victims have been asked for money to cover "administration" costs.
PC Jayne Sharpe said the offenders ask for the money to be transferred by either Western Union, MoneyGram or Ukash.
"Over a six month period in Chichester, a man parted with a total of £2,800 after he was approached in exactly this way by a man who told him he was from the Ministry of Finance in Manchester, which doesn't exist," she said.
"These scammers are very good and convince these victims in passing them their bank details and getting them to pay out hundreds of pounds.
"They continually phone the victim ensuring them that this is a genuine transaction and that they work with the banks and the police."