£165,041 lost to courier fraud in Lincolnshire in 2025

Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated and persistent tactics that are driving significant financial harm to victims.

Courier fraud is a cruel and calculated crime that targets trust, often focusing on older and or vulnerable people. Offenders are becoming more organised and persistent, sometimes maintaining contact with victims for days or weeks to maximise what they can steal. 

Criminals are also evolving their tactics, increasingly using messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and courier services to facilitate collections. These changes are making fraud harder to detect and emphasise the need for greater public awareness, particularly among those most at risk and their families.

It’s vital that people know the warning signs and feel empowered to stop, question and verify before taking any action.

A key feature of this threat is the disproportionate targeting of older people, particularly those aged 70 and above. This group makes up majority of victims, with those aged between 76 and 96 alone accounting for around 62 per cent of all reports nationally. However, anyone can be a victim of this crime and the perpetrators are incredibly persistent and convincing.  

Fraudsters exploit trust in institutions such as the police and banks, as well as using pressure tactics, fear and urgency to manipulate people into complying with instructions.

A growing national trend identified in 2025 involves the use of jewellery and gold to carry out high-value frauds. In many cases, victims are persuaded to visit multiple jewellers to purchase expensive items over a period of time before handing them to a courier. This method often results in the highest amount stolen and can involve repeat victimisation, with offenders maintaining contact to extract as much money as possible.

How to spot the signs of courier fraud

Courier fraud typically begins with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or bank employee. Victims are told their account is at risk or that they are assisting with an investigation, before being instructed to withdraw money, purchase items, or disclose sensitive information. A courier is then sent to collect the items such as jewellery, cash, bank cards and PINs. In reality, this is the work of criminals and anything handed over is lost.

How to protect yourself from courier fraud: