A SCAM victim handed around £7,000 to fraudsters, said police.

A telephone scam, which has been attempted across Cumbria, relate to a caller purporting to be a police officer investigating an incident of fraud.

The offender persuades the victim that their bank is in on the scam and that the victim can help their investigation by taking out a large sum of money.

They are then asked to meet an officer who states a password before taking their money and making off.

Detective Inspector Andy Donnelly said: “I would like to take this opportunity to make it abundantly clear that this scenario is a scam.

“A police officer investigating such an incident of fraud would under no circumstances request a perceived victim to withdraw money from their bank and hand it over.

“Our advice is if you receive this call is to hang up and contact either police or Action Fraud

For further crime prevention advice on fraud visit www.cumbria.police.uk/Advice-Centre/Crime-Prevention/Fraud.aspx.

If you are a victim of fraud that is a crime in progress and you need an immediate police response, please dial 999.