North Wales Police are warning the public to be alert to fraudsters posing as police officers and claiming to be investigating problems with cryptocurrency investments or bank accounts.

The scammers use the authority of the police to gain people’s trust, often creating a sense of urgency by suggesting money is at risk or that a suspect has been arrested and a victim’s bank account needs to be secured.

In a recent case reported to North Wales Police, a fraudster claimed to be a Detective Chief Inspector from the Metropolitan Police, contacting someone about alleged problems with their cryptocurrency account.

The telephone call was followed by an unsolicited email intended to make the story appear genuine. Fortunately, the intended victim recognised the warning signs, ended the call and did not engage with the email.

Police say unexpected calls about investments, cryptocurrency or bank accounts should be treated with caution, particularly when the caller asks for personal or financial details or pressures someone to act quickly.

Members of the public are advised to end suspicious calls, avoid clicking on links in follow-up emails and check any claims independently using official contact details. They should never rely on a telephone number or email address supplied by the person making the approach.

North Wales Police stress that genuine police officers will not pressure people into transferring money or revealing sensitive personal or financial information.

Anyone who receives a suspicious approach can report it to Report Fraud, the national service for reporting fraud and cybercrime. Further advice is available from North Wales Police’s Cyber Crime team through its Facebook page.

Police say that if a call or message does not feel right, people should trust their instincts, stop the conversation and verify the contact independently before taking any action.