Taxi driver honoured after stopping elderly passenger from losing £3,000 in courier fraud scam
- Perry Richardson
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
An Ely taxi driver has been recognised by police after her quick thinking prevented an elderly passenger from losing £3,000 to fraudsters in what officers described as an attempted courier fraud.
Friday 17 April began as a routine shift for taxi driver Bridget Farley-Smith. After collecting an elderly woman for a journey into town, Bridget quickly sensed something was wrong when the passenger appeared distressed and anxious.
During their conversation, the woman revealed she was travelling to her bank to withdraw £3,000 in cash. She explained that earlier that morning she had received a text message claiming to be from her bank warning of suspicious activity on her account. She was later contacted by someone purporting to be from the bank’s fraud department.
According to the woman, the caller instructed her to withdraw £3,000 as part of an investigation into the alleged fraud. The fraudster also advised her to tell bank staff that the money was needed for an emergency roof repair if she was questioned about the withdrawal.
The passenger told Bridget she had felt uncomfortable about the request and initially resisted. However, repeated phone calls and text messages from the fraudsters left her feeling overwhelmed and pressured into complying.
Recognising several warning signs of a scam, Bridget asked to see the woman’s phone and called the number that had been contacting her. A woman identifying herself as “Fiona” answered and again insisted the passenger needed to be taken immediately to the bank, claiming the withdrawal was required as part of an urgent fraud investigation.
Rather than continuing to the bank, Bridget ended the call and contacted police. She then drove the woman to the local police station, where the attempted fraud was reported.
As a result of Bridget’s intervention, the victim did not lose any money and police launched an investigation into the attempted courier fraud.
Courier fraud is a crime in which fraudsters typically impersonate bank staff, police officers or other trusted officials to persuade victims to withdraw cash or hand over valuables. Victims are often instructed to keep the matter secret and are subjected to sustained pressure designed to create panic and urgency.
In recognition of her actions, Superintendent Nikki Hall met Bridget at force headquarters in Huntingdon on 19 June to present her with a certificate of appreciation and personally thank her for protecting the vulnerable passenger.
The presentation coincided with National Courier Fraud Prevention Week, a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the tactics used by criminals targeting elderly and vulnerable people.
Kate Thwaites, Cyber and fraud prevention officer, said: “Fraud is a devastating and ever-evolving crime, with fraudsters often targeting the most vulnerable in our society.
“The community are our eyes and ears and this incident goes to show how important they are in helping to spot and even prevent acts of fraud.
“I want to thank Bridget for her quick thinking and the care she showed the victim. Her inquisitive and perceptive mind prevented a vulnerable woman from potentially losing thousands of pounds.”
