Full Breakdown
Amazon Impersonation Scam Leaves Westbury Resident £1,800 Out of Pocket
7/23/2026, 5:09:28 AM
The Scam and Its Impact
Retired charity volunteer Dorian Jones, a 70-year-old former Westbury town councillor who now volunteers at Dorothy House Hospice, was duped out of £1,800 after a two-hour phone call in which scammers pretended to be Amazon staff. The fraudsters convinced Jones that his Amazon account was being used to purchase two smartphones, then persuaded him to transfer money from two of his bank accounts in 12 separate transactions. Jones cancelled his cards and reported the loss to Wiltshire Police, but he remains uncertain whether the funds can be recovered.
How the Fraud Operated
The scheme involved two callers. The first claimed to be an Amazon employee and described suspicious activity in Jones’s basket. A second caller, presented as an “official” Amazon representative, was brought onto the line to “verify” the first. The verification succeeded, lending credibility to the ruse. The scammers asked Jones to type numbers into his phone to “cancel” them and sent fake text messages that appeared to come from his bank. Throughout the call, the fraudsters provided personal details about Jones’s family and schooling, reinforcing the illusion of legitimacy.
Official Statements & Responses
Simon Goodwin, Wiltshire Police’s cyber-crime prevent-and-protect officer, said scams are the most common crime in the UK and warned the public not to click unsolicited links, download apps, or follow instructions from unknown callers. He emphasized that criminals often use fear, time pressure, and impersonation of trusted organisations.
A spokesperson for Amazon stated that the company never asks customers to download software, share remote access, or make payments outside its website or app. The spokesperson urged anyone receiving an unexpected call claiming to be from Amazon to hang up and contact the retailer directly through the Amazon app or website.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The profile of what he knew of me was incredible - my family, my son, schooling,” — Dorian Jones
- “He said to me: 'Your IP address has been corrupted hence your phone has been compromised'. So I felt I was in safer hands,” — Dorian Jones
- “It was so authentic - the fact that he was saying I was being scammed while I was on the phone to him," Jones added.” — Dorian Jones
Advice for Consumers
Police advise customers to verify any unexpected contact by independently reaching out to the organisation through official channels. Hanging up and using the Amazon app or website to check account activity can help prevent similar losses.
