Crime Update

FIRST: ANOTHER SEXTORTION CASE:

The aggrieved reported that he started a video chat with a woman online. They then agreed to meet in a video offline chat room – ‘hangout’. When he entered this chatroom, the female was completely naked. After a brief conversation, they both engaged in intimate activity. Immediately after logging out, he received a messages stating that she had videoed their interaction and he needs to pay £300. There was a link to an account to send the money. He has not paid any money and so far there have been no repercussions. Due to his embarrassment the aggrieved does not want to be seen by officers, as he doesn't want his family to know.

This is a perfect example of how this scam works.

PLEASE – PLEASE – PLEASE – DO NOT WRITE, SAY, TEXT OR DO ANYTHING ONLINE, YOU WOULD NOT WANT YOUR FAMILY, RELATIVES, NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS, WORK COLLEAGUES – EMPLOYERS – TO SEE. That will include everyone in your personal address book !

NEXT OUR CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE VIDEO DOORBELLS.

I have received this link from Justin who had two bay trees stolen from beside his front door;

He sent me these links, which he was happy to share with everyone. This is how it happens !

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16qutzPX_upSOIwmA4YRns_7aUIEaje3I/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/198uCeEeHDNMtHUQc_aKWRrX_5SfA-nAk/view?usp=sharing

AND THE SAME EVENT IN FULL COLOUR:-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fXnWp-aF7FOwAEoBvFMuDznFnqPkmn7d/view?usp=sharing

This man may well have walked onto all sorts of people’s driveways in that area, looking for crime opportunities. If you don’t have a video doorbell – thing about getting one. If you have, check it regularly and send me any clips of suspicious activity, even if you have not actually been a victim of a crime.. Even if the images are blurred and the offender – as in this case covers his face with a hoody, our teams can often recognise an offender by their clothes, stature, walk, bearing or demeanour !

As I say, if you are not sure about the technology and need some advice, we have a volunteer NHW Video Doorbell IT Advisor ! To access the advisor, you can email the Chair of the Windsor & Ascot NHW Association Chair – Valerie Pike, using the NHW email at the very bottom of this message, or email me and I will forward your request to her.

NEXT: FROM RBWM:

The Big Bike Revival

As part of Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival, Maidenhead and Windsor Cycle Hubs are holding pop-up workshops to carry out free bike safety checks.

These drop-in sessions check and adjust crucial bike parts such as breaks, tyres, and gears.

The sessions are due to run from 8.30am – 4.30pm on:

Saturday 22 May at Desborough School in Maidenhead
Monday 23 May outside Maidenhead Town Hall

Email comms@cyclehub.org.uk to book.

More details are on the Cycle Hub UK Facebook page

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.uk
SR.windsor&maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk.
20/5 Thursday 1.30 p.m. / 3.45 p.m. Car Park, York Road / Park Street. Van break and tools stolen. Offender/s have drilled a hole in the rear nearside sliding door and then cut out a triangle that leads to the cable that when pulled, pops the door open. Ref. No: 43210218306

RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
The RBWM CCTV department reported two men acting in a suspicious manner. they came from the park play area towards Jennett’s Car Park. They were seen with a torch. One had dark clothing, beeny hat. They have walked up opposite the park, towards Boulters lock. Ref. No: 43210216996. If you have a video doorbell and have footage of matching suspicious activity. Please send it to me.

MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
SR.windsor&maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
20/5 Thursday 7 a.m. Westacott Way, Littlewick Green. Caller is an engineer working on behalf of BT. He was called to check out a cabinet that had reportedly lost power around 0700 this morning- When he has arrived on scene, he has found one of the Telefonica power cabinets had been access by means of a key. Within the cabinet, the power cables had been cut and damaged. Ref. No: 43210118099

PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.

MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
SR.windsor&maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
NO CRIME TO REPORT.

OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.

MEMBERS’ COMMENTS:

First – the census scam from Anthony

Morning Jeff,

Had a text yesterday, saying that we had not completed the National Census correctly and could be fined, unless we responded to the text.

Obviously a scam, which we reported to the Census organisation and they confirmed our suspicions.

Please warn your readers.

Kind regards
Anthony

EXACTLY – thanks Anthony

NEXT: A Santander scam from David:

Hi Jeff,

I received this email – addressed to me – supposedly from the business manager at my bank Santander.

David.

The email is addressed to David. It explains that new regulations are coming into effect in March. He now has to supply an ID and security information. He must click on a link to do this.

PAUSE – THINK – BREATHE – THEN CONTACT YOUR BANK USING CONTACT DETAILS NOT CONTAINED IN THE MESSAGE.

Next: Another bank Scam from Sarah-Jane

Hi Jeff,
Received a text message from “my bank” today, I logged onto my internet banking to check it out as my daughter very rarely (usually with permission) uses my account for small purchases.

I was greeted by a message informing me that this is a scam and not to respond to the message. I wouldn’t have anyway, but not everyone is as aware or cautious as I am.

Thought I’d pass it on so others don’t get caught out.

Thanks for the good work

Sarah-Jane

The text from ‘HSBC’ says that someone has tried to access her account from a new device. If it wasn’t you – ‘please visit’ then there is a LINK.

PAUSE – THINK – BREATHE – THEN CONTACT YOUR BANK USING CONTACT DETAILS NOT CONTAINED IN THE MESSAGE.

NEXT: a variation of the ‘I am crying as I write this’ scam email from Peter:

The email is from someone he knows – they have been hacked – Apparently they have tried to purchase a gift on Amazon for their niece as it is her birthday, but their access is not working – could he please order a £100 Amazon gift card and have it sent to her – He will pay you back as soon as Peter confirms it is done.

After a few emails, peter became suspicious and deleted everything.

If you get one of these – even if it is someone you know:

PAUSE – THINK – BREATHE – THEN BIN THE MESSAGE.

NEXT: Another Click on this Link scam to check your details from Ann:

Dear Jeff

Another silly scam, which I’ve binned, and did not click on the link, but it does look authentic, which is a worry.

The clue is in the sender’s email – and the fact that my BT bill is paid by direct debit, so there would be no need for them to send this.
The email goes on to say that my billing details are out of date and needs to be updated – immediately. If I don’t do it within 2 days, they will suspend my phone line – CLICK ON THE LINK !

The amounts they refer to are wrong and it refers to October 2020!

Thanks for all your good work.

Ann

The email is from BT billing department Billing Department and simply addressed ‘Hi’.

It has all the traditional Scam featured:
Something is wrong
It must be addressed immediately
A Threat
A penalty
If you get an email like this – always:

PAUSE – THINK – BREATHE – THEN BIN THE MESSAGE.