A warning has been issued to Hertfordshire residents after fraudsters posing as police officers scammed victims of £135,000.

Since the beginning of August, people in the county have lost money totalling six figures, after scammers posed as police officers and asking them to hand over their bank cards or cash to a courier.

The scam usually involve the victim receiving a telephone call, with someone posing as a police officer or bank official and informing them of fraudulent activity on their bank account.

The victims are then instructed to put their bank cards or money into an envelope and give it to a courier or taxi, which is sent to their home by the offenders.

Detective Inspector Katy Jackson, from the Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: "While number of courier fraud offences reported has dropped from last year, more than £190,000 has still been lost by victims this year. 

"It’s important to remember that police officers and bank officials will never ask you for sensitive information, like a PIN or ask you to purchase high value items to assist them with an enquiry.

"Usually, the intended victim realises the call is not genuine and refuses to part with their personal and bank details. However, these fraudsters can be very persuasive and insistent, which has resulted in some people falling victim to this scam and subsequently losing thousands of pounds."