Kibworth Beauchamp is one of seven places where courier fraud was reported between 4 September and 12 October. How the scam works, and the police advice.

Leicestershire Police is investigating a report of courier fraud in Kibworth Beauchamp. It is one of seven reports the force is looking into across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. All seven were reported to have happened between 4 September and Monday 12 October.

The force published the warning on Tuesday afternoon. Its Economic Crime Unit is asking people to talk to older relatives, friends and neighbours about the scam. (Leicestershire Police, 13 October 2026)

The seven places named by the force are:

  • West Leicester
  • Braunstone
  • Syston
  • Narborough
  • Burbage
  • Kibworth Beauchamp
  • Ryhall, in Rutland

Kibworth Beauchamp, about five miles north-west of Market Harborough, is the only one in Harborough district. The force has not said when the Kibworth report was made, whether money was lost, or how much was taken across the seven.

How the scam works

The force describes the pattern like this:

  • A cold caller rings, claiming to be a police officer or someone from your bank.
  • They sound official, and may ask you to confirm your name, address and other basic details they could have found elsewhere.
  • Once they have your trust, they say your bank account has been used fraudulently, or that they are investigating counterfeit money.
  • They then persuade you to withdraw a large sum from your bank, and send someone to your home to collect it.
  • Or they ask you to hand your bank card to a “courier” and tell them your PIN. The card is then used to take money from your account.

The force says fraudsters sometimes use local taxi firms to take people to their bank, and has asked taxi companies to call the police if they have suspicions.

What it means for you

“Police or banks will not contact people in this way,” said Nicole McIntyre, of the force’s Economic Crime Unit.

Her advice, from the force’s statement:

  • If you get a call like this, hang up.
  • If someone comes to your door claiming to be a police officer and wants your bank card to trace fraudulent transactions, do not hand it over, and close the door.
  • If you want to check with your bank, wait five minutes before calling, or use a different phone. Fraudsters can keep the line open after you hang up.
  • Never let anyone else use your bank cards.
  • Telephone companies can help with call-blocking technology.

“If you have elderly neighbours or relatives who don’t access our website or social media sites, please advise them of these incidents,” she said.

Action Fraud has more on how courier fraud works and how to report it.

Sources