A 90-YEAR-OLD woman is among elderly residents targeted in a fake police phone scam.

Police are warning residents to be aware of the fraud after several people reported incidents in the Eastleigh area in the last two days.

Officers are investigating six cases so far where in each case victims received a phone call from a man telling them he is from Hammersmith police.

Three people have fallen for the scam and in each case lost several thousand pounds worth of valuables or cash.

A 73-year-old man received a phone call from a man who said he was from Hammersmith police and that they had arrested someone with some jewellery.

He said that a courier would be round to collect the family jewellery for fingerprints and also for money, which would be reimbursed.

A taxi company collected the items and delivered it to an address in London.

On another occasion, an 83-year-old woman was told there had been fraudulent activity on her bank account and someone had been arrested.

The caller said that her bank was under surveillance by police and she should withdraw money and a courier would pick it up to check the notes.

The victim did this and a local taxi was used to courier the money to London.

She was then called again and told that it was a scam before the caller hung up.

The 90-year-old woman was called and asked to call them back on 999. Police suspect the caller kept the line open to trick the victim.

The fraudster then told her police had two people in custody for fraud and they had seized five gold Rolex watches.

Courier Again a local taxi arrived to courier some money which was placed into brown envelopes.

Police are advising residents not to engage in conversation with the man and would like to hear from anyone else who has received such a call.

They are warning the public not to give out bank details, provide any information to the caller or to pass any valuables to couriers following such calls.

Two other men, both aged 71, and a 68-year-old woman in the Eastleigh area have also received similar calls but refused to hand anything over.

Sergeant Harry Wilson, from Eastleigh police, said: “We’re very keen that people become aware of it.

“If people have got elderly relatives make sure they’re aware of it. These are generally elderly vulnerable victims.

“It’s fairly despicable.”

Call Eastleigh police on 101, from a different phone if at all possible, or to give information anonymously call Crime- stoppers on 0800 555 111.