A SCAM in which fraudsters pretend to be police officers carrying out a covert investigation into corrupt bank staff has seen vulnerable residents in Lancashire conned out of £80,000.

Residents and bank staff have been warned about the sophisticated scam, which sees ends up in the fraudsters sending a fake courier to collect thousands of pounds from the victim's home.

A police spokesman said "Victims in Lancashire are being targeted by fraudsters. The fraudsters are claiming they are police officers and they are asking victims to assist in a covert investigation to catch corrupt bank staff.

"The victims are told by the fraudster to go to their local branch and make a large cash withdrawal of up to £20,000. The victim is coached to tell the bank staff it is for home improvements or loved ones.

"The victim returns home and the cash is collected by a courier fraudster, never to be seen again.

"There have been six offences in Lancashire in 2019 with a combined loss of £80,000."