A scam alert has been issued to residents after a resident was telephoned by a man pretending to be an officer.

Yesterday afternoon a resident in Broadstairs received a call from a man claiming to be an officer from Norwich investigating money laundering.

The victim was asked to go to their bank to withdraw £8,000 as the officer claimed they needed to check the notes were real.

The fraudster also arranged for a taxi to collect the money but he left empty-handed after the bank refused the cash withdrawal.

Officers are making enquiries into the incident.

District Commander for Thanet, Ch Insp Ian Swallow said: “Officers will never ask a person for money or for their bank details

“It may sound convincing as they could know your name, address, or name a local taxi firm during the conversation, but if you receive one of these calls, end it immediately and wait at least 10 minutes before using your telephone to ensure the scammer has cleared the line.

“Unfortunately those who are targeted are often the most vulnerable, such as elderly people or victims with learning difficulties.

“It is important people know how to spot the signs of a fraudulent phone call so their finances are not put at risk and I would encourage friends, neighbours and family members to help us protect those who may be particularly at risk from these types of scams.”

To report a fraud you can contact Kent Police online or by calling 999 in an emergency.

You can also contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111. You can also visit their websites.