14 arrested in connection with alleged £300,000 fraud

FOURTEEN people have been charged by police in connection with a £300,000 fraud.

Central Scotland Police said 34 people, most of them elderly, had been affected.

They were allegedly telephoned by people pretending to be bank officials or police officers who claimed there was a problem with their bank account or cards.

They were then persuaded to give their bank details or hand over their card to a courier. Police said 13 people had money taken, while 21 others were targeted, but did not hand over any cash.

During their investigation, links to similar alleged crimes in other police force areas were found and Operation Jenga was set up to share information.

To date, police said 14 people allegedly linked to various organised crime groups have been traced and charged in connection with crimes such as being the courier to collect the bank card, allowing their bank accounts to be used to transfer money and carrying out transactions using fraudulently obtained cards.

Now police are warning that anyone who allows their bank account to be used in this way could face charges.