TL;DR: On June 17, 2026, Kent Police said courier fraud cost 86 Kent victims a total of £766,544.44 in 2025. Between June 1 and 10, 2026, the force received 30 reports, 18 from the east of the county. Fraudsters succeeded in only three, stealing more than £9,300.
What happened
Kent Police say fraudsters may pose as police or bank staff, or contact people on WhatsApp pretending to be a relative in urgent need of cash. Victims are asked to hand over items that are then collected by courier.
The force’s message is blunt: anything handed over to the courier is stolen.
Why it works
Kent Police say fraudsters succeeded in only three of the 30 reports in the June 1 to 10 period. The scam also moves between channels, from phone to WhatsApp to doorstep.
The numbers refer to Kent only, not the whole of the UK.
Background: our explainers on courier fraud and fake bank investigators and how to protect elderly parents from phone scams. See also Leicestershire Courier Fraud: Fake Officer Took Card and PIN and Derbyshire Police Warn of Fake Police and Bank Fraud Team Calls. For wider numbers, see our data page on scam losses by age group.
What Kent Police advise
- Hang up if a caller asks you to verify your details or PIN, or offers to collect your card.
- Wait a few minutes, then call your bank on a number you know is genuine, such as the back of your card, or dial 159.
- Neither the police nor your bank will contact you unexpectedly to join an investigation or send a courier for cards, cash or valuables.
- Do not trust caller ID. If you think you have been a victim, contact your bank immediately and report to Report Fraud.
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank immediately, using the number on your card or by dialling 159, and ask about stopping the payment and reimbursement, then report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Our guides on UK fraud reporting and APP reimbursement rules, UK bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain what to expect, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did courier fraud cost Kent victims in 2025?
£766,544.44 across 86 victims, according to Kent Police on June 17, 2026.
How many reports did Kent receive in early June 2026?
30 reports between June 1 and 10, 18 of them from the east of the county; fraudsters succeeded in three, stealing more than £9,300.
Can scammers use WhatsApp for this?
Yes. Kent Police say fraudsters may contact people on WhatsApp pretending to be a relative in urgent need of cash.
Will police ever send a courier?
No. Neither police nor banks send a courier for cards, cash or valuables.
Sources
- Kent Police: Kent victims lose over £750,000 to courier fraudsters (Jun 17, 2026)
- Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk)
Related Reading
- Leicestershire Courier Fraud: Fake Officer Took Card and PIN
- Derbyshire Police Warn of Fake Police and Bank Fraud Team Calls
- Maple Ridge RCMP Warn of “Card Pick-Up” Fraud at Your Door
- UK Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Scam Losses by Age Group: US and Australia Data (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live