Warning issued after fraudsters scam thousands of pounds using official OPCC phone number

Leicestershire Police is issuing a public warning after reports of fraudsters using the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (OPCC) phone number to scam people out of thousands of pounds.

Since the start of 2026, police have received six reports of people who appear to have been called from the number 0116 229 8980 – the number belonging to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) – claiming to be from the police or HMRC.

These incidents are in no way connected to anyone working in the OPCC.

In all these cases the calls are made to appear as if they are originating from this number but are being made from unrelated mobile or internet-based phone lines using specialist software.

Fraudsters are accusing the callers of being involved in illegal activity or scaring them into thinking their money is no longer safe in their current bank accounts.

They have then been able to persuade them to transfer money or to purchase high value gift cards.

In the most recent incident, which was reported on Monday 16 February, the victim purchased gift cards to the value of £6,100 before releasing she had been scammed and contacted police.

Across the six reports this year, the victims have incurred losses of more than £30,000.

Police from the force’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU) are investigating these reports and carrying out a number of enquiries to identify and disrupt suspects.

They are also issuing a warning and asking people to be reminded of the following advice:

• Police, banks or government agencies will never request money, gift cards or ask for access to bank accounts. They will never ask for passwords, pin number or instruct anyone to undertake urgent financial transactions
• If you receive a suspicious call, ask for their name and then end the call
• Wait five minutes to make sure the line is clear or use a different phone to contact the organisation they are claiming to be from using an official, verified number, such as the number on the back of your bank card or call police on 101

Nicole McIntyre, from the ECU, said: “In the last eight weeks alone we have had six reports from people have received a call from the same number – the office number for the OPCC – resulting in victims being scammed and loosing thousands of pounds as a result.

“These incidents are not connected to anyone who works in the OPCC’s office. In these cases, and in other cases we have seen, fraudsters are using specialist software to make it seem like the calls are coming from legitimate phone numbers.

“We are investigating these incidents and reviewing communication data in order to try and stop scammers operating in this way.

“But we would want people to be aware of this issue and the steps to take if they are contacted by someone claiming to be from a police force, crime organisation or government agency.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “I am absolutely dismayed that the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being targeted by such calculated and despicable fraudsters, hiding behind institutions of trust and reassurance that exist to help and protect people.

“These criminals are highly convincing and can lower the guard of anyone.

“Neither my office nor any professional working on my behalf would ever call to ask you to withdraw money, purchase gift cards or seek access to your bank account. They would also never ask for passwords, pin numbers or request that an urgent financial transaction is carried out.

“Specialist officers are investigating these awful crimes, and I am assured we are carrying out the relevant enquiries in order to try and identify and disrupt these suspects.”

“But please - remain on your guard. If you are ever unsure of the authenticity of a caller, request the caller’s name, hang up and wait five minutes before calling the company, ideally with another phone, to verify the details of the person provided in the call. This number should always be obtained from a reliable source."

Anyone who has been a victim, is asked to report information to Report Fraud https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/