A REALLY GOOD 48 HOURS
NO BURGLARIES
AND ONLY 2 CRIMES TO REPORT - DAMAGE TO A FENCE AND A CAR - POSSIBLY LEFT UNLOCKED - ENTERED AND SEARCHED
WELL DONE EVERYONE.
SCAMS AND FRAUDS ARE OFTEN VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH, PARTICULARLY, WITHOUT THE FULL CONSENT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE VICTIM. Often, they have been ‘groomed’ and are totally under the influence of the scammer - believing in them completely. It is almost impossible, to convince them that the person they have been speaking to - is a fraudster. They are totally convinced it is all genuine and have been told not to involve the police, or raise questions with their bank.
The next report is a case in point:
Since June 2019, a potential victim of fraud, has been sending large sums of money to foreign nationals and there does not appear to be any link, between them and the potential victim.
The potential victim, has said that these large transfers of cash are gifts, and he does not expect, to be paid back.
Due to the very large amounts involved, there is a concern that he is being taken advantage of.
Without the co-operation of a potential victim, there is little we can do. If the money belongs to them, they can dispose of it, as they wish. If they are compos mentis, know what is going on, say they want no police involvement and are perfectly happy with what is happening, we cannot intervene.
A NEW SCAM:
The potential victim, received a phone call supposedly from the Inland revenue.
They explained that they believed his bank accounts were being used to launder money along wi9th other frauds. As a result, if this wasn’t him, they need to take control of his bank accounts to investigate what was going on.
If he refused, they would assume the transactions were his and he would be charged with money laundering and fraud.
The Inland Revenue caller, then handed the phone to a ‘police officer’ with whom they were working closely. The supposed Police Officer was aggressive and said that if the potential victim refused to assist the Inland Revenue, they had officers on standby ready to have him arrested.
We have seen a recent increase in reports of attempted “fraud” offences, with elderly or otherwise vulnerable people, being the most common targets.
Criminals typically carry out these frauds, by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a the Inland Revenue, police officer or bank official, to gain their trust.
The fraudsters will then claim there’s an issue with the victim’s bank account, or request their assistance, with an ongoing Inland Revenue, bank or police investigation.
The ultimate aim of the call, is to trick them into handing over access to their bank accounts, their money or their bank details.
AND ANOTHER:
Hi
I have had a message on my answerphone, to say that £600.00 had been transferred from my account to a foreign country.
Press 1, if you want this transaction cancelled.
I did not press one, but immediately checked my accounts. The banks told me this is a scam. It always involves £600.00, but nothing has been taken from my accounts.
Have you come across this one?
Many thanks - this is the first report of this one.
NEXT - EMAILS FROM CHINA
If you get one of these - just bin it. They usually come with a warning from your service provider that they are scams.
They come from the Vice Chairman of Hang Seng Bank and they email to say - one of their clients has recently deceased, leaving a vast amount of cash and no living next of kin - if you email them back with your full details and bank account, they will share some of the money with you !!!!
DON'T DO IT - BIN IT !
PROTECT YOURSELF
Behind all of the clever tricks and ever-changing narratives, there are a few basic recurring elements that are common across many frauds:
Here’s what you need to remember.
The Inland Revenue, your bank or the police will never:
- Call and ask you for your full PIN or full banking password.
- Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them.
- Ask you to transfer money out of your account.
It pays to pause and not be panicked - stop and think- any time you receive a request for personal, or financial information.
Remember, if you feel uncomfortable, or unsure about what you’re being asked to do - never hesitate to contact your bank or financial service provider directly, using a number you trust, such as the one listed on your bank statements, or on the back of your card.
Alternatively, discuss the incident with a trusted friend, or family member and get their advice, on whether you should go through with any action relating to your finances.
Find out more on our website:
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/personal-fraud/banking-payment-card-investment-pension-fraud/ 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.
I have added a new email address below. The first email address is directly to your local Neighbourhood Team. The second is to our investigation team. Please use it to send any intelligence / video doorbell / CCTV footage you may have, which is relevant to any of the crimes lists below - quoting the reference number.
Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email -
www.crimestoppers-uk.org MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk11/8 Tuesday 4 p.m. / 5.30 p.m. Car Park, Broadway. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS - untidy search, but nothing stolen.
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBISHAM,
COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
11/8 Tuesday 6.20 p.m. / 6.50 p.m. Kimbers Lane, Bray. Fence panels damaged
