Hunt for man in £112k ID fraud

POLICE want to speak to this man

POLICE have released CCTV images of a man wanted in connection with a string of high-value frauds.

Two victims reported a total of £112,000 being taken from their accounts in a series of withdrawals and purchases including one at a Barclays branch in Oldham between September 10-October 7.

Before the frauds, Barclays took calls from men purporting to be the account holders, requesting new debit cards, a credit card and pin numbers.

The offenders passed all security questions and the new cards and numbers were sent out in the post.

But over the course of several hours on September 22, five withdrawals of £4,850 were taken from one customer’s account at branches around Greater Manchester.

Between October 4 and October 6, 22 withdrawals totalling £92,700 were taken from the second victim’s account at branches across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

On October 7, the man pictured walked into Goldsmith’s jewellers in the Trafford Centre and attempted to buy a watch worth £26,400 using one of the victim’s cards. The transaction was declined.

Det Sgt David Henshall said: “Both victims have been reimbursed by the bank, but that should take nothing away from the severity of the fraud, which has seen two innocent people have their identities stolen and their accounts hacked.

“We’re very keen to speak to the man pictured in Goldsmiths. Please contact police if you know him.”

Call police on 0161-856 3221 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.