Detectives are urging Cheshire residents to be vigilant after an elderly woman from Runcorn and an elderly man from Chester were scammed out of large quantities of money.

They both handed money to a courier for safekeeping after receiving a phone call from a man purporting to be a senior police officer.

The so-called officer told them that their savings had been targeted by thieves and were not safe in their bank accounts.

Cheshire Police’s advice on avoiding such scams is:

• The police will never ask you to become part of an undercover investigation or for you to withdraw money and hand it to them for safekeeping
• Be wary of any calls, texts or emails purporting to be from the police asking for your personal or financial details, or for you to transfer money
• If you are approached, or feel something is suspicious, hang up the phone and do not reply and then report it to police on 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. You should also inform your bank on its advertised number.

Detective Inspector Glyn Leech said: “We believe that victims are being targeted county wide by this scam, with us investigating reports of people being scammed in areas including Warrington, Chester and Macclesfield.

“I urge anyone else who has been targeted by this scam, or other similar scams, to report it to us on 101.”