Organised criminal gangs around Britain are making over £7 million in electricity prepayment meter scams.

Police have raided shops in London suspected of involvement with organised criminal gangs making over

So far, more than 120,000 customers throughout Britain have been affected by the fraud, including those of British Gas, EDF Energy, E. ON, npower, Scottish Power and SSE.

Criminals use a doorstep-sales approach, offering pay-as-you-go meter customers cut-price electricity. The customers in fact pay out twice, once to the criminal and again to the energy company.

Energy companies never sell electricity top-ups door-to-door. Customers can only buy these from official outlets including PayPoint, Payzone or a Post Office.

With 3.5 million electricity prepayment meter customers throughout the UK, the risk of falling foul to these scammers is high.

Haringey Borough Commander, Detective Chief Superintendent Sandra Lobby, said: "We regularly urge residents to be wary of unsolicited doorstep callers. Don't buy electricity top-ups at your doorstep or if you are approached by someone at your premises. If you do this, you could face criminal proceedings."

If you have been a victim of this, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.