POLICE are warning businesses to be on their guard against scams where a fake courier is asking staff to pay �70 to accept a parcel on behalf of a neighbouring firm which is closed.

POLICE are warning businesses to be on their guard against scams where a fake courier is asking staff to pay �70 to accept a parcel on behalf of a neighbouring firm which is closed.

The main targets appear to be businesses that are open outside of “normal” business hours, such as pubs and clubs.

They have been approached by a man asking the owner to accept a parcel on behalf of a neighbouring business which is not open at the time. When they agree, an A4 sized parcel is handed over.

The owner is asked to handover cash, around �70, as a delivery fee which they claim will be reimbursed by the business the parcel is intended for.

It transpires, the details of the intended recipient are false as are the details of the sender.

Officers are advising that genuine delivery couriers would not operate in this manner.

Anyone who is approached in this manner should phone Norfolk police on 0845 4564567.