FIRST: Another possible Romance Scam:
The aggrieved met a man online in a dating website. Whilst talking and getting to know one another, he mentioned that he has had experience with crypto currency and that he could help the her set herself up to buy some. Over time, he became very persistent and would not stop talking about crypto currency. Eventually she downloaded the App and transferred a large amount of cash into the account. He later told her that he could access to her account.
The man never made threats in the dating site, but did this on snapchat, where the messages are automatically deleted after a few seconds. During one of these conversations, she took a screenshot of one of his threatening messages. He became aggressive and forced her to delete the image – which she did.
She has now managed to access her crypto currency account and is not sure how to use it so cannot see any of her cash there and thinks he may have removed it.
PLEASE BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH ONLINE ROMANCES – THE MINUTE ANYONE ASKS YOU FOR MONEY / FINANCIAL / PERSONAL INFORMATION – BLOCK THEM – AND MOVE ON. NEVER LET IT GET TO A STAGE WHERE YOU FEEL INTIMIDATED BY THE PERSON – MAN OR WOMAN !
NEXT We had a valuable Cartier watch stolen in a burglary recently. In another burglary, the thief stole the box for a valuable watch, believing the watch was inside. This happens quite frequently and we supply details of all valuable / unique watches stole to all the local jewellers who sell ‘pre-owned’ watches. These are then registered on the ‘Safer Gems’ database, which can be accessed by all jewellers / auctioneers who sell pre-owned watches – and distinctive jewellery.
SOME BASIC PRINCIPALS:
Valuable watches must never be stored in their boxes, where they are easily found. Many of those people who like to collect valuable watches, like to display them in their boxes – the boxes themselves, cost hundreds of pounds and are beautiful display items, in their own right. BUT – a valuable watch is unsaleable without the box, the guarantee the paperwork and the original receipt. Those documents, are often a library in themselves. The box and paperwork are essential if the watch is to be sold for anything like it’s real value. I doubt if any of our local jewellers would purchase say a Rolex, without that paperwork and box – even if the seller explains they inherited the watch and there was no paperwork ! It has no retail value.
Photograph the item. If we recover watches and jewellery, you must be able to prove that the item we have recovered is in fact yours. A large number of Rolex models are made and sold. How will you identify yours ? Photograph any distinctive damage / scratches / markings. The damage on two otherwise identical items, will never be the same. Then, email the photos to yourself and save them somewhere you can access immediately if say you are not at home / on holiday, when the item is stolen.
Record the serial number, make model and description. Often a single named model of a watch, comes in various colours / configurations / with additions – e.g. diamond bezels / numerals / strap details. That information will generally be on your receipt and guarantee documents – so keep them safe. The serial numbers on these watches are often hidden and difficult to locate. Real Rolexes, have a tiny crown etched into the crystal face – it is very small and you need a watchmakers loop to see it. Only a jewellers know all the identifying features.
If you have ever had your watch serviced at a reputable jeweller, they will have photographed your watch from every angle. They do this to protect themselves. In case when you collect it, you maintain they have damaged it, or scratched the face - whatever. If your watch is stolen, first go and speak to them to establish if they have detailed records to assist with its description / identification and recovery. Ask them, to keep an eye out for your watch and to register it as stolen, with ‘Safer Gems’ and ‘The Watch Register database’ – see below – in case we have overlooked this step.
Finally – never keep the watches and their boxes together. If you collect them, they look beautiful in their boxes, but - they cannot be left on display. Separate out each component into safe places, where it would take a thief more than 5 minutes to find. That is how long a thief will be in your home.
VALUABLE JEWELLERY:
Mostly the same advice applies. Take close up photos – your phone is fine – and send them yourself by email. A photo of you, standing in a group at a ‘do’ wearing your best clothes, your rings / bracelets / necklaces etc. will not do. Items need to be photographed individually and close up to reveal the detail, beside a ruler against a neutral background – velvet is good, as it does not reflect – photograph the item and any scratches / damage. If you wear several rings with claws, the claws next to other rings, will wear.
Gold wedding bands all look very similar. Could you identify yours from 20 others laid out ? Photograph them from above. 18ct rings are very soft and will not remain round for long. They quickly become an oval. A photo of that shape, could identify, yours from others. An engraving inside – would clinch it !
Again, if you have had the jewellery cleaned by a jeweller, or an insurance valuation undertaken, they will have photographed it, to protect themselves from any claims made afterwards. They will also record a full description of the metal, the carat, the date from any hallmarks and the type, colour and quality of any stones. That would be the first place to call if the items are stolen.
Dear Jeff
I am writing on behalf of The Watch Register Database, the largest international resource for the location and recovery of stolen watches.
I see from a recent Thames Valley Alert that you are investigating a burglary where a valuable watch was stolen. This loss, has not yet been registered on our database, and we would like to invite you to register it, so that we may assist you in the recovery process.
All our services to law enforcement are free of charge. a brochure is available at our website.
https://www.thewatchregister.com/The Watch Register service is part of the Art Loss Register, which is the world’s largest private database of stolen art, antiques, jewellery and collectibles, founded in 1990. Lost and stolen watches are reported to us routinely by police forces, insurance companies and theft victims from all over the world.
The registration of stolen watches on The Watch Register database offers the best possible chance of recovery. The database is constantly searched by auction houses, dealers, pawnbrokers and collectors worldwide in order to check the ownership history of watches, offered for sale. All the watch sales held by the major international auction houses Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Bonhams and Phillips are checked by The Watch Register team, as well as the transactions of the leading online watch dealerships and a wide network of local businesses.
As a result of these searches, The Watch Register team is able to locate the stolen watches registered on its database and prevent their re-sale, so that they can be recovered for the benefit of the rightful owner. These operations also allow us to provide intelligence to law enforcement on the whereabouts and sellers of stolen property in order to assist criminal investigations, which on many occasions leads to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators.
In the event that we identify a watch that has been registered with us on the market, we will inform the police immediately.
In order to register the above-mentioned loss on our database we require the following information:
Brand, model and serial number of the stolen watch(es)
Crime reference number, police force and contact details of the officer in charge
Insurance details (if known): name of insurer, policy and claim number
This information can simply be sent to us by email at
info@thewatchregister.com. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or by calling +44 (0) 207 841 5781.
Yours faithfully,
Katya Hills
The Watch Register
To access the brochure –
https://www.thewatchregister.com/If you have had a valuable watch stolen in the last couple of years, make contact with Katya, to make sure the details are registered on their database – it may have slipped our net !
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.orgMAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk.
9/8 Monday 2.30 p.m. / 4.30 p.m. Grenfell Place. Locked up bike stolen from outside gym. A black & green Cube mountain bike. Ref. No: 431210356129
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
9/8 – 10/8 Monday 9.30 p.m. / Tuesday 6.40 a.m. Boyn Hill Avenue. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS and bag stolen from the boot. The owner came down in the morning and found the doors open. Ref. No: 43210356738
10/8 Tuesday Early hours. Laburnham Road. CCTV images of a man trying to open the doors of cars parked on the drive. Ref. No; 43210356890
9/8 - 10/8 Monday 8 p.m. / Tuesday 7.50 a.m. Rutland Place. The owner came down in the morning to find their car had been stolen. A purple Mercedes GLA index PA* * D. 2 men had visited shortly before as the car was up for sale. Ref. No; 43210256781
9/8 – 10/8 Monday 10 p.m. / Tuesday 4 a.m. Farmers Way. Car parked on the drive stolen. There is a metal bollard behind to protect it. The thieves have simply driven over the metal bollard. A green Land Rover Defender 90 index R 4** WEC. Ref. No; 43210356856
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
7/8 Saturday 1.05 a.m. Drift Road. Car rear windscreen smashed – vandalism. Ref. No: 43210352642
