Scammers don’t take days off, and unfortunately, they are becoming increasingly creative in how they target our community. From sophisticated “deepfake” video calls to convincing physical mail landing on our doorsteps, the tactics are evolving, but the goal remains the same: to exploit trust and steal hard-earned money.

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The Kent Fraud Alert System has compiled the following five appeals based on recent reports across the county. These updates cover a range of threats currently active in areas like Maidstone, Ashford, Dartford, and beyond. Staying informed is your best line of defence. We encourage you to read through these alerts, take note of the “red flags,” and—most importantly—share this information with friends, family, and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to these predatory tactics.

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Police Impersonation & Courier Fraud in Kent

There has been a surge in reports of scammers posing as Metropolitan Police Officers across the county, particularly in Maidstone, Romney Marsh, Ashford, Dymchurch, Sittingbourne, Sheerness, and Dartford.

The fraudsters often use the names DC Martin Williams or DC Matthews.

How the Scam Works:

• The Call: You receive a call claiming your bank account is compromised or a family member has been arrested.
• The Demand: You are told you must buy gold or withdraw cash to “assist the investigation” or “protect your money.”
• The Collection: They tell you a courier will come to your home to collect your card, cash, or gold.

THE GOLDEN RULE: The police will NEVER ask for your financial details over the phone, and they will NEVER send someone to your house to collect cash, cards, or valuables.

Take Action:

• Hang up immediately. * Share this warning with elderly relatives and neighbors who may not be online.
• Report it: Call your bank at 159 and contact Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk.

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Convincing Fake Nationwide Letters

Nationwide customers are being targeted by high-quality scam letters arriving by post. These letters often promote “exclusive” fixed-rate savings deals in partnership with other financial institutions.

Why it’s convincing:

• They use realistic reference numbers and official-looking branding.
• They quote the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to build trust.
• Because physical mail costs money to send, many people assume it must be genuine.

How to protect yourself:

• Verify independently: Never use the phone numbers or links provided in the letter.
• Use official channels: Call the number on the back of your actual bank card or visit a local branch.
• Report it: If you’ve shared details, call 159 immediately.

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Don’t Pay for a Property You Haven’t Seen

Rental fraud occurs when criminals trick house-hunters into paying upfront fees for properties that don’t exist or aren’t actually for rent. Once the money is sent, the “landlord” vanishes.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• No Viewings: The landlord makes excuses as to why you can’t see the property in person.
• Pressure: They demand a “holding deposit” via bank transfer immediately to “secure” the deal.
• Stolen Photos: They often use photos and descriptions lifted from legitimate real estate sites.

Protection Checklist:

1. Always view the property in person (or have a trusted friend do so).
2. Avoid bank transfers. Use credit or debit cards where possible for better fraud protection.
3. Research the address. Look for the same photos appearing on other sites with different contact details.

Victim of a rental scam? Contact your bank via 159 and report it to Kent Police at www.kent.police.uk/report.

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Is it Love or a “Financial Hook”?

With Valentine’s Day approaching, criminals are using sophisticated tactics—including AI-generated “deepfake” video calls—to target those looking for connection.

The “Four Signs” of a Scam:

• The Love Bomb: They declare their love within days and try to isolate you from family advice.
• The Platform Shift: They insist on moving the chat from the dating app to WhatsApp or Telegram.
• The Perpetual Crisis: They claim to be working abroad (military, oil rigs) and always cancel meetings due to “emergencies.”
• The Financial Hook: Once trust is built, they ask for money for medical bills, travel, or “guaranteed” crypto investments.

The “Nose Touch” Test:

If you are on a video call and suspect it’s a deepfake, ask the person to perform a specific action, like touching their nose with their ring finger. AI often struggles to render these movements accurately in real-time.

Stop all contact immediately if you suspect a scam. Report it to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040.

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“Guaranteed Returns” are a Myth

We are seeing a rise in fake investment opportunities advertised via social media and cold calls. These scams often use “Deepfake” videos of celebrities like Martin Lewis to lure victims.

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Sign up to My Community Voice

My Community Voice is a messaging service that helps Kent and Medway residents, businesses, and community groups to keep in touch with their local policing teams. The service sends updates about your local area directly from the police officers themselves.

My Community Voice is more than just a messaging service; it allows you to reply to the alerts we send you, share information and tell us about the issues affecting you.

We are committed to engaging with communities to increase trust and confidence and to help protect people from harm. Police, partners and the public working together can build resilient and safe communities, and both reduce and prevent crime.

You will be able to play an active part in police appeals as well as keeping updated in what is happening in your local area. Sign up here.

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