‘Vishing’ scams sweep across north east of Scotland as con artists steal £1.2m in three weeks

Authorities said the scammers had utilised the ‘Vishing’ technique to dupe victims into transfering money over the telephone.

Police are now urging members of the public to be on their guard.

Det Insp Iain McPhail, from the economic crime and financial investigation unit, described the scams as “completely sickening.”

Det Insp McPhail said the criminal at the other end of the phone had no regard for their victim or the “devastation” their actions would cause.

He said: “In the majority of these cases, since the money has been transferred abroad, the chances of getting the money back is fairly slim.

“The majority of the victims in this phase of vishing frauds have been elderly, retired individuals.”

Mr McPhail said the cases had involved callers pretending to be from a bank and who told their victims that their money was in imminent danger.

He added: “They ask their victim to move substantial amounts of money into foreign accounts for safe-keeping and request that they do not report the call for fear of ruining the investigation.”

He explained: “Pension pots and retirement funds can be stolen within a matter of minutes, with hard-earned savings wiped out without warning.

“They prey on people’s good nature and use scare tactics. It is cruel, it is callous and it is beyond comprehension.

“Let me be clear that banks will never make phone calls like this asking you to move money, in particular into a foreign account.

“If you do receive such a call, hang up and call the police immediately.”