Police warn of a number of scams, including a fake 'Lottery ticket'

Police have warned that a person is attempting to circulate fake £50 notes locally in shops and businesses and say the public should be on the alert in the run-up to Christmas.

Local police have conducted visits to banks and other large retailers warning them of the increased risk.

One suspect even tried to pass off a fake £50 note in a charity shop.

Some local stores have agreed to buy ultra violet machines to prevent losses and also to call Police immediately if the suspect was in the store at the time.

The police have raised awareness on Twitter and since then there have not been further incidents, but they say with Christmas coming, people need to be vigilant.

Sgt Dave Turtle advises: Please check the feel and appearance of notes and lift to the light to check the watermark. If in doubt pop into one of the banks and they will screen under UV light."

Also reports of theft have increased, with six crimes reported in one night last week in Chiswick. This included the theft of a handbag from a restaurant, a theft from a car, and shoplifting. Police have warned that with the Christmas party season, opportunistic thieves are watching for a chance to steal property while people are relaxed.

Meanwhile, another scam has been reported in Hounslow where two suspects conned a resident into believing they had a winning lottery ticket and pursuaded him to withdraw £6000 in cash. One suspect claimed he was an illegal emigrant and would not be able to claim the money himself.

Hounslow Police are warning residents across the borough to be vigilant, particularly the elderly, following a number of reports of people being scammed out of large sums of money.

On Thursday, 20 November, at approximately 12:00hrs, a 77-year-old male victim was walking along Great West Road, Hounslow when he was approached by a man who asked him directions 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 the second suspect to his car which was parked on Broad Walk. All three men then got into the car and the second suspect turned his laptop on.

The first man suddenly produced a lottery ticket and asked the other suspect if he could check the numbers. He checked the numbers online and confirmed it was a winning ticket.

The first suspect informed them that he was illegal in the country and therefore could not claim the prize. On hearing this, the second 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 first suspect started to cough at which point suspect number two asked 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 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 12, 2014