Help wanted to find fraudster who attempted £40,000 scam in Windsor

Police have issued a warning after a fraudster tried to scam a woman out of £40,000 in Windsor.

On Thursday, a man cold called at the woman’s door, stayed for about 10 minutes and asked her to transfer £40,000 to a named account.

The potential victim went to the bank the following day to make the transfer but the bank rang the police after she was questioned about the transfer by the teller.

The fraudster had said he would return to her house at 2pm on the Friday. The police were waiting at the house for the man to show and the woman received two calls asking if the police were with her, one from a man purporting to be Metropolitan Police officer.

She denied the police were with her on both occasions and she has heard nothing since.

Police are looking to trace the man and are appealing for anyone else who may have had a similar experience or any information to come forward. The force said the woman had been fortunate and if the transfer had gone through, the money would have been irretrievable.

The conman is described as 5’9’’ tall, with short dark hair, clean shaven and was wearing a navy blue suit.

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.