Northland District prevention manager Inspector Dean Robinson, urged people to be alert to any phone calls from so-called police.
The fake “officer” would claim to be from a particular department, tellyou that you have been a victim of fraud or scam, then begin to try and obtain further financial information from you, Robinson said.
People have been directed to go to their bank and withdraw money for evidence of the supposed scam.
This is a scam - no legitimate police officer will ever ask you to hand over money, for any reason, police said.
If you want to establish if the officer is genuine, ask for the officer’s full details, then hang up, contact police on 105 and request someone to check for you.
Older members of our community are being targeted and police urge anyone with older, vulnerable relatives or friends to make them aware of this activity, Robinson said.
Since early August, police had received several reports of the offending and made arrests in Auckland and Wellington.