Community
Crime Watch
Here is where you can help your neighbours.
Spread the word about these warnings from our local police force
and neighbourhood watch teams.
From:
Paul Hammond <paul.hammond2@met.police.uk>
Subject: Telephone fraud. 2009, 8:39
Metropolitan Police Service
Press release
7 December 2009
For immediate release
Barnet
Police are warning residents of a new telephone fraud being operated
in the borough.
The callers are purporting to be the victim's bank and reporting that
several thousand pounds have been fraudulently taken from the account
and that to have it returned they must provide details of their card
number and its pin number.
The
caller has known the bank details providing a convincing story to
the victims and then states they are sending round a taxi to pick
it up.
Within only a few hours several hundred pounds have been stolen from
the victims' accounts. This style of bogus caller fraud is being investigated
by the Mets Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit.
If elderly residents of Barnet are contacted in such a fashion, they
should contact their bank first and confirm details of the caller.
They should under no circumstances release their pin number or credit
card details as banks will NEVER request this information from you.They
should then contact Barnet
Police on free phone 0300 123 1212.
++++++++++++++++++
Received
from High Barnet Police Team 9th December 2009
We have had several incidents of white male knocking at the door (sometimes
dressed as female) saying has just moved in down the road, asking
for money
for taxi to get to hospital, or for gas/electric etc
Described as F600 thin, not aggressive, very plausible, even showing
paperwork
with name on it This person is a well known drug addict who is telling
lies and
obtaining money by deception.
Please ring Police when this person is around so we can catch them
and
stop them ripping off the venerable.Reports
all over High Barnet from
Granville Rd to Byng and Wentworth and East View over the weekend
++++++++++++++++++
From:
Paul Hammond <paul.hammond2@met.police.uk>
Subject: Barnet CSI
Date: Friday, 8 January, 2010, 13:34
Dear Resident,
Police have used the DNA database to identify a man responsible for
a recent
Barnet EN5 burglary.
The householders returned to discover their house, which they had
only just
inherited, had been broken into. The burglar used a brick to smash
a side
window.
Fortunately officers discovered that in the course of breaking the
window the
burglar managed to cut himself Police
forensic officers were able to use sample
of this blood and match it to a suspect using the police DNA database.
As a result a crime which may well have remained unsolved has now
got a
positive lead and police are expecting to quickly make an arrest.
Regards, Paul Hammond, Barnet Borough watch.
++++++++++++++++++
From:
Paul Hammond <paul.hammond2@met.police.uk>
Subject: False police email scam
Date: Tuesday, 12 January, 2010, 17:10
Dear Resident,
Internet fraudsters 'adopt' MPS logo and Operation Sterling page header
This alert, issued by the Metropolitan Police's 'Operation Sterling'
Fraud
Prevention Team, follows a report to us informing us that the MPS
logo
and Sterling page header has been adopted by fraudsters.
Fraudsters have added the official MPS logo and the Sterling page
header
(as seen on the front page of Fraud Alert website) to an advanced
fee
lottery scam to add authenticity to the fraud.
In addition to the logo the fraudsters use an email link to draw any
potential
victim further into the scam.
The email address alerts@metropolitan-police.co.uk appears very similar
to
any legitimate Metropolitan Police internet link but is not.
Do
not be fooled. This is NOT a legitimate police email address or legal
use of
the MPS logo or Operation Sterling page header.
If contacted by a Metropolitan Police Officer the only email addresses
used
will follow this format: ”Name” @met.police.uk or •
“Name” @met.pnn.police.uk
Any other email address used would indicate a fraud.
To
confirm the identity of an MPS employee, please call the Scotland
Yard
switchboard using 0207 230 1212 and ask to be put through to the person
concerned.
This is the official switchboard number for the Metropolitan Police
Service.
Regards, Paul Hammond, Barnet Borough watch.
++++++++++++++++++
From:
Paul Hammond <paul.hammond2@met.police.uk>
Subject: Nasty scam
Thursday, 21 January, 2010, 17:14
Dear
Resident,Please see below: Although this happened in Totteridge it
could equally occur anywhere within the borough. This is from
a local coordinator.
We have not included their name or address.
Experienced Sunday, 10th January 2010: Doorbell rings, 8 pm.
My name is Louise (Lou), I'm a neighbour and live at ................................
I have been trying all the neighbours - nobody is in. My daughter
collapsed in the
street and was taken to hospital. She was subsequently discharged
and took a
taxi home. I do not have any cash in the house to pay the taxi and
desperately
needed £24.
She
promised to return later the same evening or the following day to
refund
the money and offered to leave a wedding ring. Wanting to be good
neighbours,
we gave her the money.
We did not accept the wedding ring. Not surprisingly, we are still
waiting for her
to come back. The
sad thing is, should a neighbour whom one does not know
personally, knock on the door in genuine distress, one just wont come
to the door.
Regards,Paul
Hammond, Barnet Boroughwatch.
++++++++++++++++++
21 January 2010
You may recall an earlier email sent out by High Barnet Police regarding
a “Door Knocker”.
There
is still a big problem with this persistent offender. Most victims
are not
reporting incidents
to the police, as they have thought it is not important enough to
contact the
police.
Please ensure anyone who has been a victim reports this to the
email /telephone detailed below.
High Barnet Ward and neighbouring wards have had numerous incidents
of
a white male knocking at the door -(sometimes dressed as female) saying
he has just moved in down the road, asking for money for a taxi to
get to
hospital, or for gas/electric etc, – or other similar stories.
He may ask instead for a tow rope as his car has broken down etc,
then come
back and ask for money for a taxi as he can’t get the car to
start. He normally
promises to bring the money back that evening or the next day, but
he is not
seen again.
He is described as white, thin, very gaunt face, aged around 40, with
greying
hair, effeminate, not aggressive, very plausible, even showing paperwork
with
name on it.
This person is a well known to the police. He is telling lies and
obtaining money by deception.
In order for the police and social services to be able to deal with
him/her, we
need a report of all incidents of this happening.
Please ring the High Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Team if the incident
is occurring:
on their mobile: 07887 633343 in case they are around and can attend.
If not please ensure that it is reported to Colindale: 0300 123 1212
and obtain
a CAD number (reference number)
Only in an emergency, if this person becomes aggressive call: 999
Please then email incident details to PC Mat Beuken (High Barnet Police
Officer) : Mathew.Beuken@met.police.uk or telephone on: 0208 733 5032
Finally
please ensure you are vigilant when opening the door to any stranger,
always use a spy hole and doorchain etc.
Thank
you
Simone
Strauss
High
Barnet CAP/NHW
