A FRAUD PERPETRATED ON A LOCAL BUSINESS. IF YOU ARE CONNECTED WITH ANY BUSINESS, PLEASE BE ON YOUR GUARD:
This fraud involved a small convenience store, with an off licence.
On the 19th July a man called into the shop, saying he worked for a company about to hold a large prestigious event in the area, but their wine and alcohol supplier had just let them down, so they needed to order a large amount of drinks quickly.
The list of drinks included numerous cases of high end champagne, costing hundreds of pounds per bottle. The shop owners had the items in stock and asked for a card for payment. This was declined by the bank. The man said that often happened, but he had a personal override card authorisation code from his company, for this situation, when he purchased large amounts. That was pumped in and the transaction went through.
The man said he would send a taxi to collect it all.
This same scenario was repeated over the next two days, as the man confirmed what he needed for the event. Each time the value of the order increased and each time, the card was declined, but the card authorisation code worked and the charges were accepted. Different cards were used each day.
On the last occasion, the value of the order was increased a lot.
On the 22nd July, The card merchant contacted the victim, to say they were suspending the payments, as they believed them to be fraudulent. The reason given, was that the cards had been issued by foreign financial organisations (all different). As the transactions had been suspended, they will hold them for 150 days in a holding account, while an investigation takes place.
The victims of course in the meantime, are suffering the loss of a very large amount of money, with a possible outcome that if this was a fraud, they will not be reimbursed !
If anyone comes into a shop you know with a similar story - be on your guard !
DON’T LET IT BE YOU
NEXT: PLEASE DO NOT DEAL WITH COLD CALLERS AT YOUR FRONT DOOR:
23/7 The victim was at home, when a man knocked at her front door. He said he noticed that her gutters needed cleaning and he would do it for £49. The victim agreed. He started at the rear of the house and came back a few minutes later, to say he had found a wasps’ nest and would remove it for another £100. The victim said no, but agreed to have both jobs done for £100.
Later, the man came back to say the job was completed. The victim handed him £100 in cash. He said he could not accept cash due to Covid 19, but had a mobile card machine in his van, if they would let him have their bank card……………………………
The victim handed over the bank card and gave the man the PIN number !!!!!!!!!!!!
He never returned.
Later that day, the man removed £500 from the account
PLEASE, PLEASE REMEMBER OUR NHW MOTTO
I AM SORRY, I DO NOT BUY GOODS AND SERVICES AT THE DOOR.
DON’T LET IT BE YOU !
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 & RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSgt Emma Pendry
PC Nathan Franklin-Mitchell
PCSO Jason Miller
PCSO Graham Knight
PCSO Abdulla Ahmed
PCSO Dan Thomas
21/7 - 22/7 Tuesday 9 p.m. / Wednesday 9 a.m. Salters Close. Someone has cut 18 - 20 blooms from a plant in the front garden. Ref. No: 43200224293
22/7 Wednesday 9.50 p.m. Princess Street. Car passenger window smashed - laptop and hair extensions stolen. Ref. No: 43200224488
23/7 Thursday 6.30 a.m. St Luke’s Road. Car broken into and bank cards stolen. Ref. No: 43200225821
22/7Wednesday 4.30 p.m. / 5 p.m. King Street. Bike propped up outside a shop stolen. A Carrera mountain bike. Ref. No: 43200225229
23/7 Thursday 12.30 p.m. Station Car Park. Locked up bike stolen. A silver Carrera Vengeance mountain bike. Ref. No: 43200226129
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL & PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
Sgt Phil Collings
PCSO Lorraine Holmes
PCSO Emily Baker
22/7 - 23/7 Wednesday noon / Thursday 7 a.m. Church, Churchgate, Sutton Road, Cookham. Offenders have forced the tower door to enter the church. They left the church leaving the doors open and glue in the locks. 43200226293
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK & OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
Sgt Cath Griffiths
PC Mike Thomas
PCSO Jan Cleaver
PCSO Aneta Welnitz
PCSO Matt Wingrove
PCSO Oliver Hogg
23/7 Thursday midnight / 6 a.m. Chalgrove Close. Burglary. Entry via rear gate. Keys left on worktop lifted out. Bike and helmet stolen from utility room. A Specialized Roubox bike Ref. No: 43200226465
21/7 - 22/7 Tuesday 8 p.m. / Wednesday 8 a.m. Suffolk Road. Sets of lights in a tree have been cut twice. The first time into two parts, this time in 5 places. Ref. No: 43200224629
