Police said 29 victims were duped by people claiming to be police officers or Supreme Court staff. These victims lost a total of $275,500.

Another two were cheated of more than $50,000 after they were tricked into believing that their relatives had been kidnapped.

In a press statement yesterday, police said the impersonation scam first came to light in September and as of Dec 6, 224 cases have been reported.

The con men pose as police and court officers and accuse their victims of being involved in criminal acts or failing to attend court.

To avoid punishment, victims are told to transfer money to the officer's bank account.

Many of those called smelled a rat and notified the police. In one failed scam in October, a 42-year-old salesman received a call from a man who said he was a 'CID officer'.

The caller accused the salesman of being involved in an international money laundering syndicate.

He was told to transfer all his money to the 'High Court's account' because his personal bank account would be seized by police. The suspicious salesman hung up and called the police.

Police said that although they do call people to inform them of court dates or appointments at the police station, their officers will never ask for money to be deposited into a bank account.

Of the 58 kidnap scams reported since August, the con men succeeded in only two cases.

In August, a 55-year-old truck driver and his wife transferred all $52,000 of their life savings to 'kidnappers' who called to say they had kidnapped the couple's 30-year-old son.

The son, a real estate manager, was actually safe at work.

Police said that when in doubt, the public should verify a caller's identity with the agency or organisation that the caller claims he is representing.

Police also advise the public to remain calm and call the police when they are told that their loved ones have been kidnapped.