A charity in Cumbria faced potential closure after fraudsters siphoned off approximately £45,000 from its accounts. The Millom Network Centre (MNC), led by CEO Angela Dixon, was left reeling from the incident, with staff unable to sleep for weeks after the betrayal.
Following outreach from the BBC, the Co-operative Bank stepped up and agreed to refund the stolen funds, allowing the charity—known for supporting those in need in the area—to continue its vital work and settle overdue bills.
MNC provides various services, including social groups, meals on wheels, and a charity shop. The trouble began on May 1 when a staff member informed Mrs. Dixon that the bank had attempted to contact her and requested a callback.
When she returned the call, the fraudster, posing as a bank representative, was “convincing” and “persuasive,” claiming there was an urgent issue with the charity’s accounts. Following their instructions, Mrs. Dixon unwittingly provided the information needed for the scammers to access the accounts. By the end of the call, the charity’s funds had vanished.
