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We investigate why a cruel fraud that's been around for decades is making a comeback despite both banks and potential victims having become more wise following massive publicity campaigns in recent years.

Courier fraud is when a criminal phones their victim or turns up on their doorstep and pretends to be from the bank or the Police. They then con the victim into revealing their PIN and handing over their credit or debit cards so they can withdraw cash.

Our investigative reporter, Shari Vahl, speaks to a couple who lost more than half a million pounds in this way, after handing over five banks cards to a man posing as a police detective. We ask why two banks failed to notice cash withdrawals of up to 拢1,000 a day, made hundreds of miles away from the couple's home in Skipton, North Yorkshire.

Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, says there were more than 2,000 reported cases of courier fraud in the first eight months of last year. That's a rise of two thirds on the same months of the previous year. More than 拢10 million was lost during January and August 2021, with victims handing over 拢5,000 on average to fraudsters.

During this special programme, we explore the gap the criminals are exploiting to find their targets. We also examine what people can do to better inform themselves and how to fight back if they suspect they're being groomed by those impersonating police officers or bank officials.

Presenter: Winifred Robinson
Senior Reporter: Shari Vahl
Producer: Tara Holmes