Rogue drainage men steal £5000 from pensioner!

A pensioner on Green Lane has reported theft of £5000 through fraud and deception.  Apparently an Asian man purporting to be a Government funded sewage worker commissioned to clear our local drains, knocked at his door requesting access to his front garden property, to remove a blockage.  He advised the owner that the work was paid for through Government funding, however a £5000 returnable deposit was required for the work to be carried out.

Despite having his telephone number de-registered under the ex-directory scheme, the homeowner received a call from the drainage company confirming all the details stated by the workman.  This led him to believe that the caller was genuine. The caller confirmed he would have to pay the deposit in cash and organised a vehicle with two Irish men, who drove the victim to his bank for a withdrawal.  After obtaining the £5000 and returning home, a further call was received stating the workmen had discovered some complications and that a further £23,000 was required to complete the work.

The homeowner called 101 from his landline to undertake some checks on the validity of the works and the company.  Whilst speaking to an apparent Chief Inspector, he was advised that the works being undertaken and the company were both legitimate.

At this point the homeowner refused to pay the additional £23,000 and requested a return of his £5000. The workmen refused and fled the scene.  The homeowner then  walked to Ilford Police station to report the shady practice of the company and was advised that no call had been received by 101.   Leading the Police to believe that these fraudsters had managed to divert his landline calls to their own control centre.  The police also confirmed that no government funded scheme to clear blocked drains was in  place, in fact such local work is undertaken by our own Council.

We write this to warn other residents of the potential fraudsters in our area and will be organising a crime meeting with local police, who will provide advice on how to avoid distraction theft of this type.

Details of crime meeting:

Time:                     7pm
Date:                     Monday 10th March 2014
Venue:                  Clementswood Community Centre, 14a Connaught Mews, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1RN.
Guest Speakers:    Mayfield Ward Police, Adrian Simpson - Trading Standards and Danny O'Brien Anti-knife UK.