Police probe 'clever' postal scam

Fraud officers are warning residents to be on their guard against a post scam being operated on Teesside.

Calls to the police uncovered the ruse which officers believe has targeted scores of householders.

An official looking note headed "Under Paid Post" tells recipients an item of post cannot be delivered until £4.60 is sent to a Middlesbrough PO Box.

Cleveland Police described the fraud as "very clever" and one which preyed on people's curiosity.

Det Sgt Dino Carlucci from the force's economic crime unit said he feared a lot of people may have already fallen foul of the trick.

'Little effort'

He said: "Although we have traced a large number of recipients, we are concerned that many people could still be ripped off.

"This is a clever scam which preys on people's curiosity without trying to generate large amounts of money from an individual.

"If you consider that hundreds of letters may have gone out, even if a small percentage reply it nets the thief a decent windfall.

"It's a large amount of money for little effort, but we want to ensure it is stamped on and more people aren't caught out."

A 44-year-old man has been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.