Category: Police

Protect yourself from payment diversion fraud when buying a new property.

City of London Police and Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, are urging the public to remain vigilant following a rise in payment diversion fraud – commonly known as conveyancing fraud. This type of fraud often involves criminals impersonating solicitors or estate agents to intercept large financial transfers during property transactions.    Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, 143 cases of conveyancing fraud were reported to Action Fraud, resulting in £11.7 million in losses. The vast majority involved residential property transactions, accounting for 140 reports and £10.97 million in losses, with an average loss of £78,393 per case.  What is conveyancing fraud or payment diversion fraud? Conveyancing fraud, also referred to as lawyer or solicitor impersonation fraud, occurs when criminals gain access to email chains between property buyers, sellers, solicitors, and estate agents. Once inside, they impersonate a trusted party and send convincing messages requesting that funds, such as deposits or final payments, be transferred to bank accounts under their control. These scams are often timed to coincide with the final stages of a transaction, when large sums are expected to be moved quickly. Fraudsters apply pressure, claiming urgency, and convincing victims that delays could jeopardise the deal. This type of fraud isn’t limited to home purchases – it has also been reported in rental agreements and probate transactions, where funds are transferred as part of estate settlements. Fraudsters will often use hacked or spoofed email accounts so that their messages can appear highly authentic. Victims may not realise they’ve been deceived until the money is gone. How to protect yourself from conveyancing fraud: ·  Receiving bank details securely: always get your solicitor’s bank details in-person or over the phone at the start of the conveyancing process, and request that any changes to these details be communicated with you in-person, by phone call, or by letter.  ·  Email or texts asking you to change bank details: if you receive a message that feels suspicious, such as a request from your solicitor asking you to amend payment information, STOP! Think fraud. Contact your solicitor directly, over the phone or in-person, and verify that the request was genuine.   ·  Prioritise your email security: you should use three random words to create a strong and separate password for your email account. Enable two-step verification to add an extra level of security.  What to do if you are a victim of conveyancing fraud: ·  If you have made a payment: inform your bank as soon as possible, they can help you prevent any further losses.   ·  Report: if you become the victim of conveyancing fraud, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card and report it to Action Fraud online at http://actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you’re in Scotland, you can report it to Police Scotland on 101.  ·  You could be targeted again: fraudsters sometimes re-establish contact with previous victims claiming that they can help them recover lost money, this is just a secondary scam. Hang up on any callers that claim they can get your money back for you.    Do you want to learn more about payment diversion fraud? Check out the City of London press release here.

Romance scam warning

Our fraud and cyber prevention officers are always working hard to help safeguard people against romance scams like the one below. They’ve been dealing with an influx of celebrity-based romance scams recently and have some important advice to share…    Imagine caring for your ailing husband in his final days after 50 years of marriage. He’s your rock, your world, your everything. After his death you’re suddenly all alone. Your days were once filled with love, laughter and latterly a duty of care, but now you’re left with time on your hands. Struggling through a heavy, grief-filled fog, you seek solace online and connection with friends over social media. You join fan pages of some of your favourite celebrities – it brings you joy to read about their latest work and helps to fill the dark, relentless void left by your recent loss. Then, one day, while scrolling through social media, you receive a message out of the blue, it’s from American Actor and film producer, Jason Momoa. You’ve been following his fan page and he’s reached out to say hello. You can hardly believe your eyes, but you strike up a conversation – you’re not going to pass up this opportunity. You exchange messages for days on end and suddenly you start to feel less alone. Over weeks of contact, romance blossoms between you and he sends you a picture of a house in Hawaii he’s building for you both to live together. Due to his high-flying lifestyle he has an unusual financial situation and his cash is tied up in his many film projects. He needs you to send him money to help finish the house ready for your arrival.  Things escalate and you hand over more than £500,000 in total, including money from the sale of your home – you’re not going to need it, you’ll be living in Hawaii with the incredibly successful Jason. But you’re not going to Hawaii, are you? Because the whole thing is a scam. This might sound ridiculously far-fetched, but it’s a true story and it happened to a vulnerable woman from Cambridgeshire recently, leaving her without a home. You might not fall for something like this, but do you know someone who could? Fraudsters deliberately research their victims and target the most vulnerable in society or those going through tough times. Fraud and cyber prevention officer, Dave York, said: “Romance scams cause devastation for victims and their families. Scammers target the most vulnerable people and those at their lowest ebb, looking to fill a gap in their lives. “They brainwash victims for weeks, even months at a time, until they’re completely convinced by the web of lies and hand over their money. “We work tirelessly to help tackle romance scams, but due to perpetrators often operating remotely from other countries, it can be so hard to track them down and bring them to justice. “The best thing we can do is safeguard victims and prevent people being drawn in by such scams, and that’s where friends and family members can help too.” For more advice on Romance scams and how to protect yourself and others, visit our website: https://orlo.uk/2RMlc

Police warning following distraction burglaries

Police are urging residents to be vigilant following a series of distraction burglaries reported in and around Cambridge. The incidents reported have involved two women claiming to offer massages to help back, knee and leg pain, specifically to the elderly, disabled and vulnerable individuals. Here are some simple steps you can take to help protect yourself. Please share with any vulnerable neighbours or relatives. ·  Check who’s at the door using a viewer or spyhole. ·  If you do open the door, keep the security chain on. ·  Always ask for ID and confirm it with the company before letting anyone in. ·  Use a trusted phone number from a directory or official website – don’t rely on the number shown on their ID card, as it could be fake. For utility companies, contact their customer service team. Close the door while you make the call. If you’re unsure, arrange for the visitor to return when someone else can be with you. You can read more about the incidents on our website.

Operation Galileo Relaunched: United Front Against Hare Coursing

We have joined forces with Essex Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary and NPAS to re-launch Operation Galileo — a joint initiative to tackle hare coursing and rural crime. This is more than a relaunch. It’s a clear message: we will not tolerate hare coursing or the criminality that comes with it. Borders do not protect offenders, and they do not restrict our ability to work together. The operation includes: ·  Coordinated enforcement and intelligence sharing across counties. ·  NPAS aircraft supporting rural patrols and tracking offenders. ·  Specialist rural crime officers responding swiftly and building strong cases for prosecution. We’re standing shoulder to shoulder to protect our rural communities and wildlife. You can read more on our website.

Neighbourhood officers continue crackdown on e-scooters

Police have seized 13 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters as part of a crackdown on their unlawful use across South Cambridgeshire.  The four-day operation this week (8-11 September) led by neighbourhood officers saw 12 illegal e-scooters and one e-bike seized.  These were removed from the streets of Cambourne, Northstowe, Histon and Impington and Orchard Park.  Officers spoke to schools who have a zero-tolerance approach with use of e-scooters and continued their ongoing education to try to prevent illegal use or inform those thinking of buying one. E-scooters are only permitted for use on public roads if they are part of official government rental trials, or when ridden on private property with the landowner’s consent. Using privately owned e-scooters on public roads, pavements, or cycle lanes remains against the law. Neighbourhood Sergeant Rob Taylor said: “We’ve had several reports about e-scooters being used dangerously in various areas. We’ve listened to the community’s concerns and responded by tackling the illegal and unsafe use of these vehicles. Our commitment is to continue taking proactive measures regarding their use. “We will also continue to deliver education sessions in schools and engage with parents to raise awareness about the legal requirements.” Members of the public are encouraged to report unsafe or illegal e-scooter use via the force website or on the police non-emergency number 101. More information on the law surrounding e-scooters and e-bikes is available on the website. Kind Regards,  Annabelle Mullee

Online community meeting this month

We’re getting ready to host our next online community meeting. 🏠 Do you live in South Cambs? 👮 Would you like to meet your neighbourhood policing team? 🚔 Hear what they have been working on over the past three months? 🤝 Help set the priorities for the coming quarter? 📆 If you’ve answered yes to all of the above then sign up to the online police community meeting on 16th September at 7pm. 💻 Email ‘SOUTH CAMBS’ to communitymeeting@cambs.police.uk and you will be sent an invite or simply respond to this ecops message. If you haven’t attended one of the meetings before, it is chaired by myself as neighbourhood Inspector and my team.  The meeting allows members of the public to virtually meet their neighbourhood officers and hear about recent activity.  Attendees will also get the opportunity to raise any concerns they have and help shape future priorities. Kind Regards, Inspector Simon Birch

Warning to #ProtectYourPension from fraud.

Savers and those reaching retirement age are being warned to protect their pensions and look out for criminals trying to catch people out of their life savings, with Action Fraud revealing a total annual loss of £17,567,249. This equates to roughly £48,129 lost to this type of fraud per day in 2024. Data reveals there were 519 reports of pension fraud in total and £17,567,249 lost in 2024, with an average loss of £33,848 per person. Action Fraud, with support from the Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG), launched a pension fraud awareness campaign, warning people to take extra measures to protect their pension scheme accounts and to be cautious of investment opportunity offers from criminals that could be targeting them.   How can you protect yourself against Pension fraud?   Secure your online pension account: the account you use to manage your pension should have a different password to all of your other accounts. Use three random words to create a strong and memorable password, and enable 2-step verification (2SV).  Ignore unsolicited calls about your pension: cold calling about pensions is illegal and likely a sign of a scam. If you’re thinking about changing your pension arrangements, you should get financial guidance or advice beforehand.  Investment opportunities: don’t be rushed into making an investment. Remember, legitimate organisations will never pressure you into investing on the spot.  You should treat investment opportunities with extreme caution if there’s:  Pressure to invest (for example: time-limited offers). Downplayed risk of losing your money. Promised returns that sound too good to be true. Remember to Stop! Think Fraud and find more information on how to protect yourself from fraud here: Stop! Think Fraud – How to stay safe from scams What can you do if you have been a victim of pension fraud? Report pension scams: if you’re worried about a potential pension scam or you think you may have been contacted by a criminal, report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you have made a payment: inform your bank or pension provider as soon as possible, they can help you prevent any further losses. Monitor your bank and pension statements regularly for any unusual activity.

Standing Together Against Rural Crime in Cambridgeshire

Rural Crime Action Week: Protecting Cambridgeshire’s Countryside Cambridgeshire’s countryside may look peaceful — but behind the quiet lanes and open fields, rural crime continues to impact farmers, landowners, and communities. From machinery theft and hare coursing to fly-tipping and livestock attacks, these crimes leave lasting damage. But Cambridgeshire Police, through our dedicated Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT), is working hard to tackle the issue head-on. Throughout Rural Crime Action Week, we’re highlighting: ·  * The hidden cost of rural crime ·  * Cross-border policing efforts ·  * Community-led resilience ·  * New legislation and funding to strengthen our response 👮‍♂️ * RCAT officers are specially trained to patrol farmland, investigate rural-specific offences, and collaborate with neighbouring forces.👥 * Communities are stepping up too — with WhatsApp alerts, watch groups, and shared security measures. Together, we’re sending a clear message: rural Cambridgeshire is not alone. 📞Help us protect our countryside. If you see something suspicious, report it via 101 or online:  You can find out more about rural crime on our website.

Don’t let burglars ruin your holiday

We are asking people to consider home security ahead of a peak in holidays over the summer months. According to research 77 percent of adults are planning a summer holiday meaning there is likely to be an increase in unoccupied properties in the county. While we are seeing a 19 percent reduction in burglary this year (Jan – June 2025) compared to the previous year, opportunist thieves can use the holiday season to their advantage. So we’re asking people to think about home security if they are planning on going away. There are several steps people can take to protect their homes, particularly with the support of friends, family and neighbours. Whether that be asking someone to move the bins, park on your drive or using timers on lights – there are lots of measures people can take to make their home look ‘lived in’ while they are away. We have dedicated teams who are working hard to combat burglary and bring thieves to justice. Tackling it is a force priority as we aim to make Cambridgeshire an even safer place to live. If you are going away consider: ·  Maintain a normal routine while you are away by asking a family member, friend or neighbour if they can: ·  Put the bins out ·  Open and close blinds/curtains as you would normally ·  Remove post and parcels that are delivered ·  Make your home look lived in: ·  Use smart bulbs or timers to switch lights on and off ·  Use the timer function to turn you TV on and off ·  If you have a smart device such as an Alexa set it to play music at certain times in the day. ·  Review your security: ·  Consider installing an alarm, outside light with a sensor ·  Consider installing CCTV/doorbell camera ·  Ensure all outbuildings and sheds are locked Further information about holiday burglary advice is available on the force website – Going away? Don’t give it away | Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Door-to-door sellers operating in the area

We’ve had reports of door-to-door sellers visiting homes in the area. They are often nicknamed ‘Nottingham Knockers’ and involve people claiming to have recently been released from prison and selling goods to help them raise funds and mend their ways. However, this is not part of any officially-recognised offender rehabilitation programme. Residents are being urged to remain cautious and report any suspicious behaviour to police. If a crime is taking place call 999 otherwise report online or call 101.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary are continuing to highlight their new yellow wristbands and online form, which will help officers in the event a loved one living with dementia goes missing in Cambridgeshire.

Officers and staff in our Prevention and Vulnerability Hubs have been attending community events, GP surgeries, hospitals and working with partners to spread the word – like at Grove Medical Centre’s open day in St Ives recently.

The new yellow wristbands, like a watch in appearance, will contain the person’s next of kin’s contact details and number. If you see someone looking confused or disorientated but wearing one of these wristbands, you can use your phone to easily bring up the information and reunite the person with their family (often without the need to call police).

At our latest community event, they managed to issue a wristband to a person living with dementia and help set it up with their chosen carer’s details.

Our new Herbert Protocol form can also be filled out online – which encourages family and friends to collate key info such as a physical description, familiar places, health details and a recent photo of a loved one with dementia that will help officers if they go missing.

More than 135 people have already done the same. To register your interest for one of the new wristbands, watch a quick video on how to scan them or fill out our new Herbert Protocol form for a loved one, visit the dedicated page on our website.

Amnesty and knife crime

Do you or the people you love know the true consequences of knife crime? These can include: ·   A four-year prison sentence just for carrying a weapon ·   A permanent criminal record, which you have to declare for the rest of your life (for example when applying for jobs or going on holiday) ·   If you carry a knife for protection, you’re more likely to have it used against you Our weapons amnesty takes place this week, but we speak to young people at schools about the dangers of knife crime all year round. However, we can’t do it alone. Having a conversation with the children or teenagers in your life about knife crime could make all the difference.  There have been some heart-breaking cases in Cambridgeshire in recent years where young men have lost their lives because of a drugs dispute or because their attacker decided to carry a weapon. For more info about this week’s knife amnesty, how you can hand in knives and other weapons, and knife crime in general, please see this latest news story our website.

Burglary warning ahead of bank holiday

We’re issuing a warning ahead of the bank holiday weekend after a spike in burglaries last year. There were more burglaries on the week of the late May bank holiday than at any other time in 2024. Although some homes were broken into, many thieves acted as opportunists, stealing items when windows were left open or doors unlocked. We’re asking residents to remain extra vigilant and ensure their property is secure at all times. For more information and crime prevention advice visit our website.

New way to dispose of weapons in amnesty next week

A new way to dispose of knives and other items without prosecution by us is being piloted in some areas of the county as a weapons amnesty takes place next week. As well as knives, people can surrender items such as knuckledusters, extendable batons, curved swords and zombie weapons that have been made illegal to own. The amnesty will not cover guns. The week-long initiative starts on Monday (19 May) with amnesty bins at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough and Parkside Police Station in Cambridge throughout. An amnesty bin will also be available at Cambourne Police Station between 2pm and 6pm on Thursday (22 May) and at Sawston Police Station between 10am and 2pm on the same date. This year people who want to dispose of knives or weapons, but who may struggle to get to an amnesty bin next week, can now arrange for officers to visit their home and collect them. The idea is being piloted in some areas of Cambridgeshire including Peterborough, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire. Anyone interested in doing so is asked to email NorthKnifeAmnesty@cambs.police.uk (for areas in Peterborough and Fenland) and OpSceptreEastCambs@cambs.police.uk for areas in East Cambs. The email should contain their address and contact details. They will then be contacted by an officer who will arrange collection. These mailboxes will only be active until the end of the amnesty on Sunday, 25 May. Alongside this, officers will be visiting schools across the county, carrying out extra patrols in “hotspot” areas and targeting those believed to be carrying knives. The week will be supported by officers, Specials and police cadets. The previous amnesty held in November saw 370 items handed in – a record number for Cambridgeshire. In the past year, possession of weapons offences in Cambridgeshire increased by 31 per cent.   ‘You will be safer in reality’ Superintendent Paul Rogerson said: “Regular amnesties continue to be part of our ongoing work to combat knife crime in the county and I am pleased we have a new option available to people this year. “Although our statistics show possession of weapon offences have increased, this doesn’t necessarily mean knife crime has done the same. The rise could be due to any number of reasons, for example more pro-active work by officers to tackle the issue, more stop searches, or others having more confidence to report those who carry weapons to us. “For example in that same timeframe, 215 extra stop searches were carried out in hot spot areas and 160 more knives were seized during those searches. “It’s important we continue our other work in this area, such as speaking to young people at schools about the dangers of knife crime. “Very few people carry knives in our county. However, if you suspect a friend or family member does, please speak to them about the amnesty and encourage them to do the right thing. By disposing of any weapons, they will be safer in reality, and this also removes the risk of them being prosecuted.” The national Sceptre initiative is also part of Operation Guardian – the Constabulary’s ongoing strategy to combat knife crime in the county.   What is the law? Where knives are concerned, it is illegal to: – sell a knife of any kind to anyone under 18 years old – carry a knife in public without good reason – unless it’s a knife with a folding blade 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less, eg a Swiss Army knife – carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife – use any knife in a threatening way (even a legal knife, such as a Swiss Army knife) The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and a fine of £5,000. Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston said: “I encourage anyone who has a knife, or knows someone else who has one, to hand these into one of the amnesty bins available. “Knife crime has a devastating impact on the lives of victims, their families and the wider community. “While we do not see the same levels of violence as other parts of the country, it is essential we all play our part in educating our young people as to the dangers of carrying knives.” Visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website for more information on knife crime and to access a list of the banned items.