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In a jaw-dropping scam, an elderly Dover woman was tricked into mailing £10,000 in cash!
The drama unfolded on September 3, 2024, when a sharp-eyed courier company tipped off Kent Police about the suspicious package.
Police to the Rescue!
Officers swooped in, discovering the woman had been conned into sending the money to a so-called contractor, with another £10,000 ready to go!
Advice
While enquiries continue, officers are warning others to take the following steps to avoid becoming victims of fraud:
• Don’t agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice, or speak to a friend or family member, before making a decision.
• Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s.
• Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with.
• Don’t just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company’s success.
• Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment.
• If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help.
• Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. By reporting it, you’ll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.
For more information on fraud, visit our advice webpage: https://www.kent.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/