SICK scammers, pretending to be police officers, have swindled hundreds of pounds from three residents in Grays through a phone scam.

Meanwhile, six similar elaborate thefts failed - three in Grays, one in Tilbury, South Ockendon and Stanford-le-Hope.

The three Grays victims, all elderly, were called by men claiming to be police officers from London who told them their bank cards had been subject to fraud.

One woman, in her 70s, was told someone would be around to pick up the card for examination as her details had been frauduently obtained. She handed over her bank card to the conman, and later found £450 had gone from her account.

Another woman, in her 60s, was contacted and told by a “police officer” from Charing Cross someone was in possession of her bank details and had been arrested so they needed to check her card numbers over the phone. She lost £180.

And a man, in his 80s, received a similar call from a bogus officer from Holborn. His card was later collected - and £500 was soon missing.

Across Essex, there have been reports of more than 450 similar incidents. And, worryingly, since the beginning of November tricksters have contacted 78 people.

Of these, eight have so far fallen for the scam handing over a total of £39,600 - including one woman from Leigh, who gave up £24,000. And, on Tuesday, a 16-year-old boy was charged after a woman, in her 80s from Brentwood, was scammed for £6,300.

Det Insp Paul Maleary said: “The average age of people being targeted by these despicable thieves is 77, but there have been victims in their 90s and in their 50s.

“As a result of our widespread media campaigns in Essex warning of the bank card scam, the thieves seem to have changed their approach.

“They are trying to convince people that their bank accounts are at risk and money should be moved out of those accounts.

“People should remember banks would never ask you to move money from one account to another and they would never ask you to hand over cash.

“We would urge everyone to be on their guard and if you have elderly relatives to make sure that they are warned about these despicable crimes.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.