Warning follows spate of fake police robberies
Swedish police have issued a warning via their website after criminals have been caught using false police identification to lure their way into people's homes before running away with cash and valuables. A 23-year-old man was arrested after entering the home of a couple in their nineties in Sundsvall last September. Police say he is to be charged on Thursday with robbery and suspected fraud.
Using fake identity, he told the couple he was a policeman investigating break-ins in the area and asked to photograph valuable objects for documentation purposes.
Instead the man left with a number of items reported to be worth a substantial amount of money.
In a more recent incident in late December, two men in their 40's tricked an 87-year-old woman from Trollbäcken, near Stockholm, into entering her home.
They asked to photograph jewellery, check the serial number of money and requested to loan her bank card.
Criminals have also been reported to telephone victims in advance to expect their arrival. They again claim they are required to photograph valuables after alleged robberies in the area.
Police have published advice on their website encouraging pensioners to be extra vigilant and take measures to ensure police identification is legitimate if they receive a knock at their door.
"Policemen and women that have contact with the elderly are clear to inform who they are," the statement reads. "They would even encourage them to ensure that they are police personnel by calling 114 14."
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A 23-year-old man was arrested after entering the home of a couple in their nineties in Sundsvall last September. Police say he is to be charged on Thursday with robbery and suspected fraud.
Using fake identity, he told the couple he was a policeman investigating break-ins in the area and asked to photograph valuable objects for documentation purposes.
Instead the man left with a number of items reported to be worth a substantial amount of money.
In a more recent incident in late December, two men in their 40's tricked an 87-year-old woman from Trollbäcken, near Stockholm, into entering her home.
They asked to photograph jewellery, check the serial number of money and requested to loan her bank card.
Criminals have also been reported to telephone victims in advance to expect their arrival. They again claim they are required to photograph valuables after alleged robberies in the area.
Police have published advice on their website encouraging pensioners to be extra vigilant and take measures to ensure police identification is legitimate if they receive a knock at their door.
"Policemen and women that have contact with the elderly are clear to inform who they are," the statement reads. "They would even encourage them to ensure that they are police personnel by calling 114 14."
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