A suspected phone scammer has been arrested in Tunbridge Wells following allegations he posed as a police officer to steal cash from a pensioner.
The man was detained following a foot chase in a supermarket car park, where the victim had reportedly been instructed to attend after withdrawing several thousand euros. Kent Police was initially called at 12.05pm on Tuesday 25 March 2025, to a report a man claiming to work as a fraud investigator had called the victim and told him there was suspicious activity connected to his bank account.
It is alleged the victim, aged in his 70s, was then given instructions which included withdrawing large sums of money to be handed over at a meeting place. Fast track enquiries led officers to a Tesco car park in Pembury, where the suspect was pursued and taken into custody.
A man aged 24, of New Addington, Croydon was later charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. He was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 27 March.