A warning has been issued after pensioners were reportedly targeted by fraudsters posing as police officers.

Multiple cases of the phone scam were reported in Tunbridge Wells on January 16, the force has warned.

The swindlers claimed there had been criminal activity on their victims’ bank accounts.

In one incident, a man was told an investigation linked to New Scotland Yard was underway and was being led by a “DC Mathew Riley and PC Chrissy”.

They then told him to withdraw a large sum of cash to assist with the investigation and instructed it would be collected by a courier.

Police say emergency call handlers received five reports of such phone calls in the area.

Det Insp Chris Mayers said: “Thankfully, none of the intended victims parted with any money and our investigations are underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding these incidents.

“Scammers are becoming increasingly more calculating in their methods to defraud their victims into losing a substantial amount of money.

“Unfortunately, many of those they target are vulnerable and elderly members of the community.

“Please remember, a police officer would never ask a member of the public for their bank details or money over the phone.

“If you receive a similar call, the advice is to hang up immediately and report it to Kent Police.”