Police and the Bermuda Bankers Association have formed an alliance to tackle scammers who have fraudulently targeted residents’ bank accounts.

It came as the Bermuda Police Service reported that 162 victims were targeted last year by scammers who netted approximately $4.5 million.

Fraudsters used various modes of communication, such as local phone numbers, to target residents.

Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Smith said police took 250 calls reporting scams.

Mr Smith and Geoff Scott, chief executive of the BBA, announced the partnership today at Clarien Bank.

Mr Smith highlighted that so far this year, swindlers stole approximately $100,000 from the bank accounts of two residents.

Mr Scott said the collaboration of police and bankers would raise awareness of the problem, with other stakeholders to be engaged during the year.

He added: “I see us partnering with the social service agencies to deliver messages to senior citizens and other vulnerable communities.”

He said that while some groups were particularly vulnerable to scams, schemers had boosted their skills to target everyone.

Mr Smith said: “From our reporting, a large population of those who become victims are seniors.

“As a result of seniors engaging with these bad actors, in some cases their entire bank accounts have been wiped clean — so that means that their pensions are gone.

“But equally, what we have seen over the last couple of months is that the victims are widespread throughout the community.

“So it is not just seniors, but it is also those sort of middle-age groups in particular, the 30-year-old bracket and up.”

He said the financial crimes unit of the BPS recently met with a seniors’ group to address the “chronic problem”, with fraudsters using text messages, phone calls and e-mails in their attempts to trick residents to disclose personal information.

Mr Scott said seniors were always targeted but noted that, as people became comfortable and casual with technology and social media, they could become easy victims.

He said: “Financial crime is worldwide, but you may not feel that in Bermuda because often scammers and fraudsters are trying to sound like they’re Bermudian.

“They are trying to sound like they are calling from the local bank or the utility.

“The importance of that is that it is really not unique to Bermuda. What’s really important about it now is that we talk about it.”

He said the partnership with police service meant that “we will be able to communicate very regularly, giving very up to date information”.

Mr Scott urged residents to stay aware of the tricks employed by scammers, such as requesting personal banking information over the phone.

He added: “Just ask yourself, when somebody is asking for some kind of information, could that lead them to my bank account?

“Be sceptical, be hesitant, even if it’s your bank who you may think is calling.

“Your bank will never phone you and ask you for information for your bank account. They already have that information.”

Mr Scott said information on the issue was readily available on the association’s website at www.bermudabankers.org