Beds Police are warning businesses and rural properties not to fall for this latest scam doing the rounds.

The alert comes after a number of businesses and rural properties, including farms, have been victims to people falsely claiming to be highways staff or similar.

The suspects are thought to arrive and leave gravel, stones or road surfacing material on driveways or nearby, stating they are carrying out roadworks and offering leftover materials.

Shortly afterwards, the fraudsters demand huge sums of money as payment and harass victims if payment is not received – this is blackmail and extortion.

A number of businesses and rural properties, including farms, in Bedfordshire have been victims of blackmail and extortion by individuals falsely claiming to be highways staff or similar

placeholder image — A number of businesses and rural properties, including farms, in Bedfordshire have been victims of blackmail and extortion by individuals falsely claiming to be highways staff or similar

Bedfordshire Police says it’s taking these incidents seriously, and they are following several lines of inquiry.

But, in the meantime, if you receive a suspicious visit or call from someone you believe is not genuine, do not make any payment and end contact with them immediately.

If the suspects are on your premises and you feel you are in immediate danger, call 999.

For anything else, capture all evidence such as CCTV, vehicle makes, models, registration numbers and descriptions of offenders and submit a report online or call 101, quoting Operation Nimbostratus.