Police appeal to the public to be vigilant
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To contact local police directly please use the following:-
Tel: 020 8247 6415
In an emergency always dial 999. Non-urgent please dial 101.
Brentford and Chiswick INPT
Safer Neighbourhood Team
Chiswick Police Station
209-211 High Road
Chiswick
W4 2DU
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Police would like to make residents aware of a scam aimed at defrauding elderly and vulnerable residents across the borough.
DC David Ward from Hounslow CID explains one of the methods used: "A woman appearing very upset will be crying and holding a ‘winning lottery ticket’, she will claim that she is an illegal immigrant, cannot claim the winnings as she would be kicked out the country. The victim will then be asked to help them claim this 'winning lottery ticket' in exchange for a 'retainer' with the promise of getting a share of the winnings if they assist. Another 'passer by' who is part of the scam will happen by and encourage the idea of a retainer and show the victim a large cash sum and ask them to match the amount which is generally in the thousands. The suspects then take the victim to the bank where they withdraw thousands of pounds, the female will then claim she is unwell and ask the victim to go to the chemist to pick up some medication. Upon the victims return the suspects would have disappeared with all the money.
“We are asking the public to be aware of strangers purporting to have won the lottery. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
"If you are approached by these people do not engage with them, walk away and contact the police on 101."
January 11, 2014
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