Cookham Discussion Board

FIRST: A REPORT FROM A LOCAL BANK ABOUT A SCAM, DISCOVERED DURING QUESTIONING THROUGH THE USE OF THE BANKING PROTOCOL TO PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMER:

A customer went into their bank, to complain that he had made a transfer of £50,000 to purchase Crypto Currency, but the bank had frozen his account and stopped the payment.

The bank tried to reassure their customer and told him that their Fraud Department had confirmed the account receiving the transfer – was a fraud account.  They were aware this account was being used for fraud and thus, the transfer flagged up to them and therefore stopped the transfer.

The customer revealed that he was sending the money, because he had received an online video, showing Martin Lewis promoting this investment as a brilliant deal with an account number to send the money.  This video has been shown to be fake and Martin Lewis’ team have confirmed this.

The customer then confirmed that he had already transferred £5,000 from another bank account.

The customer did not believe the bank and insisted, his account be unblocked and the transfer made.

The police were called and tried to convince the victim that this was a scam.  The victim would not listen and insisted it was genuine.  He had already invested a great deal of money, but the company has told him he cannot retrieve it, until he sends them another £21,000 for the release.

After long discussions, the victim said that even if it was a scam, it was his right to take the risk.  He was willing to risk the £85,000 he had sent so far as the possible rewards, would be huge.  He could not be convinced that this was a fraud – even after being told it was by the bank and the police.

If you get or have seen this video purporting to be Martin Lewis – BIN IT – IT IS A SCAM.

NEXT:  I AM SORRY TO REPORT – YET ANOTHER SEXTORTION.

Thursday 21st July.  Very few details as the victim wants total privacy, but just wanted the police to be aware.  The middle aged man, was chatting to an attractive young woman on line, when they both took part in intimate acts.  Immediately he received a demand for ‘2,000’ or the video would be released to all his contacts on Facebook and Instagram.  The woman and call appeared to come from Canada.
The scammer has now sent screenshots of the victims social media contacts to prove the threat is genuine.

He has not sent any money and has not heard back at this time.


YOU KNOW THE MESSAGE – PLEASE DO NOT SAY, DO, WRITE, VIDEO, PHOTOGRAPH ANYTHING ONLINE ………….

You all know it makes sense.

NEXT:  A WARNING FROM TONY:

Another round of Covid scams incoming.

A spike in cases of the Omicron variant, has led to scammers sending out text messages asking you to order a test kit. The kit includes a link that could download adware or spyware onto your device.

All official Covid guidance can be found on the government [Gov.uk] and NHS [NHS.uk] websites. Find out more from the Which website about the dodgy URL to look out for:

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/dont-fall-victim-to-this-covid-health-department-uk-text-scam-aTI426B1tWKk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=scam_alert&utm_content=Scam+Alert+210722+B

There’s now a much easier way to make us aware of scams directly with our scam sharer tool. Tell us your experiences of phishing emails, fake texts, cold calls and other types of fraud.

Stay safe,
Which? Scam Alert team
Please share this information with your friends, family and neighbours – anyone who may find it helpful. Alternatively, they can sign up here to receive this directly to their inbox.  https://act.which.co.uk/page/98778/data/1

AND FROM JOSH:

A pleasure to be able to help everyone with something !

Receiving scammers emails, is the kind of thing that makes people feel like they are being personally targeted, when in reality, its just another wave of the mundane cybercrime background noise on the internet.

It’s really a lower level effort, for low reward activity]

I'd very strongly recommend everyone sign up on https://haveibeenpwned.com/About as an action and if they see an alert, change their passwords ASAP and enable multi-factor authentication whenever they can.

For many people, having to also enter a text code is a pain, but then to login a hacker needs both your password and your phone!

Cheers
Josh
Thanks Josh, my laptop has just done a major update and I have had to complete the two stage identification for Yahoo, YouTube etc.in order to sign in, with a security number sent to my mobile phone.  You are right – it is a pain, but we have to do it !

NEXT A WARNING FROM ROBERT:

Dear Subscriber,
 
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) is warning the public about the continued increase in reports about scams where victims are targeted on WhatsApp by criminals pretending to be someone they know – typically their children.

Between 3rd February 2022 and 21st June 2022, there have been a total of 1,235 reports made to Action Fraud linked to this scam, with total reported losses exceeding £1.5mn.

Criminals will usually begin the conversation with “Hello Mum” or “Hello Dad” and will say that they are texting from a new mobile number as their phone was lost or damaged. They will then ask for money to purchase a new one, or claim that they need money urgently to pay a bill.

The criminal will provide bank details for the payment to be made to, with some coming back with further demands for money. 

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Mullish, from the City of London Police, said:
“If you receive a message like this from a friend or family member, don’t send any money until you’ve had a chance to call them and confirm their identity. Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.”

How to protect yourself:
STOP. THINK. CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.
·You can report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.
·Never share your account’s activation code (that’s the 6 digit code you receive via SMS)
Thanks Robert

NEXT:  FROM VICKY:

I think you may be interested in scam email  which I received today.  My car tax isn't due until October !

The email says it is automated, so please do not reply.  It goes on to say the payment made failed, the car is therefore untaxed and they have informed the DVLA about this.  Please click on the link to download a payment form and pay this now ……

Victoria

Many thanks Victoria - DON’T DO IT !


FINALLY:  There are now just four days left for you to apply for a £100,000 fund to support community groups across the Thames Valley!

The Community Fund is intended to support voluntary and community groups that help to prevent crime and keep communities safe. Money for the scheme comes from the Police Property Act Fund, which is jointly managed by the Police & Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable, and is created from the proceeds from the sale of items seized from criminals that cannot be returned to their rightful owners.

You can apply for either a micro grant (under £1,000), or larger grant (over £5,000) for projects that support one of the PCC’s ‘Police and Criminal Justice Plan’ priorities:

Strong Local Policing (preventing crime & protecting communities)
Fighting Serious Organised Crime (protecting vulnerable people)
Fighting Fraud & Cybercrime (fighting modern crimes)
Improving the Criminal Justice System (reducing re-offending)
Tackling illegal encampments (reducing the impact of encampments)
The closing date for this round of applications is 11.59pm on Sunday 3rd October and applications will be considered jointly by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the Chief Constable.

Please find attached a copy of the Community Fund Application Guidance Notes, which we recommend that you read before completing the application form.

For further details, including the application form, please visit our Community Fund webpage: https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/community-fund/

If you require any assistance in completing the application form, please contact Catherine.Marriott@thamesvalley.police.uk.

Best wishes,

Ashley Sellwood
Communications and Engagement Officer
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

CRIME

I have attached reference numbers to each crime report. If you live in the vicinity of any of the crimes mentioned and have CCTV or a video doorbell, can you please check the footage. If you have any that might be of interest to the police, can you please make contact with us, quoting reference number given.

Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email - www.crimestoppers-uk.org

MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk
21/7  Thursday 10.10 a.m.  Ellington Park.  Youths threw stones and a supermarket delivery van smashing the windscreen.  Ref. No:  43220322218
21/7  Thursday 10.05 p.m.  Fotherby Court.  A group of at least 3 youths egging a house.  Ref. No:  43220323424
20/7  Wednesday 3.30 / 4.30 p.m.  High Street.  Two locked up bikes in bike racks stolen.  1.  A blue & black cube bike.  2.  A green & black Carrera bike.  Ref. No:  43220323023

RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
19/7 – 20/7  Tuesday 12 noon / Wednesday 3 a.m.  Ray Mill Road east.  Van rear door damaged – possibly in an attempt to force entry.  Ref. No:  43220322087
22/7  Friday overnight.  Frances Avenue.  Outboard motor stolen from a boat.  Ref. No:  43220323785

MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk
BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.

PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
20/7  Wednesday 2 a.m. / 2 p.m.  Aldebury Road.  Car vandalised.  Windscreen smashed and a foam substance sprayed over the seats inside.  Ref. No:  43220322217

MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk
BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
20/7  Wednesday 7.15 p.m.  Manor Lane.  The security company has video footage of 2 people removing wood from a boarded up door to gain entry to a building believed to be unsafe and had concerns for their safety.  Ref. No:  43220321483

OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
20/7  Wednesday 0.30 a.m. / 1.30 a.m.  Maple Court, Cypress Gardens.  Report of two suspicious men walking around checking cars and walking up and down driveways.