A suspected fraudster has been arrested in Maidstone after allegedly posing as a bank employee in an attempt to steal money from a pensioner. The arrest followed a quick response by Kent Police, who were alerted to the scam.
The victim, a woman in her 70s, was contacted by a man who claimed to be from Barclays Bank. He told her she was a victim of fraud and instructed her to follow a series of steps, including arranging for a “bank representative” to come to her home and collect her bank cards.
The police were notified of the suspicious activity at 4:40pm on Monday, September 15, 2025. Officers quickly launched an investigation, conducting searches in the Vinters Park area. Just under an hour later, at 5:35pm, a suspect was located and taken into custody near the victim’s address.
The man, a 23-year-old from Hounslow, London, was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation. He has since been bailed with conditions while the investigation continues.
Protect Yourself from Fraud
Police are reminding residents to be cautious of similar scams. They advise following these simple rules to protect yourself and others:
- Never give out personal information in response to an unexpected phone call, especially if the caller asks for financial details.
- Hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call. Wait five minutes for the line to clear or use a different phone to contact the police at 999.
- Remember the ABC rule:
- Assume nothing. Never assume a caller is telling the truth.
- Believe no one. Don’t believe what a caller says unless you can verify their identity.
- Confirm everything. Always confirm the details they’ve provided by using an official, known phone number for the organization they claim to represent.