Lottery Scammers Targeting the Elderly
Beware of strangers seemingly bearing gifts
Hounslow Police are warning residents to be vigilant particularly the elderly following a number of reports of people being scammed out of large sums of money.
The most recent incident was reported on Thursday, 20 November. At approximately 12:00hrs, the 77-year-old male victim was walking along Great West Road, Hounslow when he was approached by a man who asked him direction to a solicitors' firm.
The victim did not know but agreed to help him find the firm and both of them started walking along the parade of shops.
As the men were walking, they were joined by another man who told them that he had a laptop in his car and that he could find out where the firm is located.
Both men then followed suspect to his car which was parked on Broad Walk. All three men then got into the car and suspect turned his laptop on.
Suspect suddenly produced a lottery ticket and asked his colleague if he could check the numbers. He checked the numbers online and confirmed it was a winning ticket.
The man] informed them that he was illegal in the country and therefore could not claim the prize. On hearing this, the other suspect agreed to purchase the ticket for a large sum of money and persuaded the victim to also purchase a share of the ticket.
The victim was driven to a bank on Grove Road where he withdrew £6000.
Back in the car, the suspect start to cough at which point his colleagueasked the victim go to the pharmacy and get some medicine. On his return from the pharmacy both suspects could not be found.
A similar incident happened on Thursday, 6 November on Rosemary Avenue, Hounslow West where an 88-year-old man was conned out of £10,000.
The suspects for both of these incidents are described as two Asian men, approximately 30 - 50 years-old driving a four door silver vehicle.
Acting Detective Sergeant Graham Rule from Hounslow police, said: “These scammers clearly have no respect for the elderly members of our community and are targeting them for their own gain. Many of their victims fall for their trap and end up losing large sums of money.
“I am urging Hounslow residents, particularly the elderly to be vigilant and aware of strangers randomly approaching you and asking you for help.”
Anyone with any information about these incidents are urged to contact Acting Detective Sergeant Graham Rule or PC Robin Birch on 0208 247 6160 or call Crimestoppers Anonymously on 0800 555 111.
December 15, 2014
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