The scam emerged as police also warned the public about buying tickets from fraudulent or unauthorised websites.

But it emerged officers are hampered in closing down some of the sites because they are based abroad.

One Dutch man suspected of being behind one of the sites is now on the run in Europe after fleeing his Merseyside base when police closed in.

The Daily Telegraph disclosed in April that police are preparing for a wave of “crime tourists” who will arrive this summer to target the huge numbers coming for the Olympics.

And it emerged yesterday that it has already begun.

Detectives from Operation Podium, which is tackling Olympic-related crime, have arrested for suspected bogus officers but police believe several gangs are at work.

Detective Superintendent Nick Downing, head of Operation Podium, said the “confusion” caused over neither the offender or victim speaking English very well could be helping in the scam.

"No officer will make any demand for money,” he said.

“They would not take your money from you. They would not take you to a cash machine and ask you to take your money out. They do not need to know your pin number.”

Some people have been sucked in by the money-spinning scam because they are from cultures which have a strong respect for people in authority, he added.

It also emerged that thousands of people around the world could be buying tickets from fake or unauthorised websites in a multi-million pound black market trade.

Police are trying to close them down but have had difficulties in those based abroad, especially in America and Holland.

Detectives are seeking a European Arrest Warrant for one Dutch suspect believed to be behind jetsetsport.info

Police also issued warnings about 2012-londonsummergames.org, 2012-londonsummergames.com, eurosportstickets.com, globalticketmarket.com, shortlettinglondon.co.uk, sportticketexchange.com and cityoflondonlettings.co.uk.

In a separate case, a legitimate multimillion pound international ticketing company – Euroteam – has been summonsed to appear before magistrates next month charged with 22 offences linked to the illegal sale of Olympic tickets.

Each offence carries a maximum £20,000 fine.