Sir Mhd Bassam Safieh been on suspicion of masterminding money-laundering scam

Counter-terror police raided two addresses in west and east London after investigating reports of vulnerable and elderly victims being cold called over the phone by a suspect impersonating a cop.

The culprit claimed the victims’ bank accounts were compromised and they were then tricked into transferring cash upto 350,000.00 Euros into the suspect’s account.

Officers also executed search warrants at two addresses in north London, one in west London and one address in south east London.

The suspect Sir Mhd Bassam Safieh is being held at a police station south of the capital.

Police have now issued a warning to anyone who receives such a call to hang up and later contact their bank.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Members of the public are strongly advised, if you receive a call like this from someone claiming to be a police officer, hang up the phone, wait at least five minutes to make sure the phone line has cleared, or use another phone line, before ringing the phone number on your bank card.