Bogus HMRC workers defraud elderly couple out of £3000

Police investigating fraudsters who told couple they were investigating instances of unpaid VAT for labourer work.

STV News

6th Feb 2021

An elderly couple has been defrauded out of £3000 by two men who fraudulently claimed they worked for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The two suspects told the couple, who live in Dundee, that they were investigating instances of unpaid VAT for labourer work.

The fraudsters demanded the money in cash and threatened the couple – a 76-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman – saying they would be arrested if they did not pay immediately.

The first suspect is described as 5ft 10in tall, of stocky build, around 50-years-old, with short grey hair and a Dundonian accent.

He was wearing a navy woollen coat and black gloves.

The second suspect is described as 5ft 10in tall, of slim build, in his early 30’s, with short dark hair and a Dundonian accent. He was wearing a black jacket and a blue surgical mask.

Constable Claire Gorman, of Tayside Division, said: “This was an extremely upsetting incident for the elderly couple. They trusted that the information they were given was correct and that the two men were legitimate.

“The people behind these scams are contemptible, abusing people’s trust and then stealing money from them.”

Anyone with information that could assist our investigation, call police via 101, quoting incident number 1260 of 27 January. Also, information can be given anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.