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Warning Due To A Rise In Courier Fraud Crimes 10/01/2020
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| We're issuing an urgent warning to residents after three elderly victims were conned out of more than £60,000 by fraudsters posing as police officers and bank workers. Courier frauds are mainly committed by organised crime groups (OCGs). A member of the OCG, known as the ‘victim communicator’ makes phone calls to vulnerable potential victims, usually the more elderly members of the community, telling them they are a police officer or work at the bank. They persuade the victim to cooperate with an ‘operation’ designed to gather evidence or identify offenders responsible for a fictional offence. The victims are asked to withdraw money from their bank, purchase an expensive item and/or provide their bank details or card to assist with the operation. The money, item or documents are handed over to another member of the gang, the ‘courier’, who attends the victim’s address or meets them nearby, on the promise that the money or item will be returned or compensation provided. In the last 28 days alone, three Cheshire victims have been conned out of more than £60,000 in cash and goods. Two victims in Crewe both handed over more than £10,000 each after withdrawing cash and giving it to fraudsters in the mistaken belief they were assisting police officers. One victim in Alderley Edge has lost £20,000 cash and over £20,000 in goods while there was a narrow escape for a Congleton victim who tried make a withdrawal from the bank but, thankfully, the Banking Protocol* was followed which prevented them from losing their money. In the other five cases the potential victims realised there was a potential scam in progress and informed the police. Detective Sergeant Chris Jacques from Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Nationally, courier fraud is a growing problem with over 1000 offences committed in the last six months. A national awareness campaign is being launched this week to target offenders, which we will be supporting. “I would strongly urge anyone receiving calls asking for money to be withdrawn and handed over to a courier to immediately phone the police on 101 or report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Police, banks or other such services don’t cold call so, if you do receive a phone call purporting to be from one of these organisations, don’t be taken in by what they say. They are not genuine.” Officers have issued general advice on how to spot and avoid courier fraud:
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Message Sent By |
Suspicious Persons
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| This morning three males attended at a static caravan park in Delamere claiming to do building work. Money was handed over by one of the residents and they left claiming to return to do the work once they had picked up the relevant supplies. First male was a stocky build with dark short hair and a beard, wearing a blue puffa jacket and tracksuit bottoms. The second male was slim wearing a blue baseball cap, black top and grey tracksuit bottoms. The third male we have no description. If anyone has any information then please call 101 quoting IML 599834.  |
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Message Sent By |
Neighbourhood Watch Wishes You A Merry Christmas
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| Dear Neighbourhood Watch Supporters We would like to thank all our volunteers and supporters for their involvement in Neighbourhood Watch over the past year. We are looking forward to working with you in the new year when we will be not only launching an engaging new website, but also delivering campaigns to support and enable individuals and communities to be connected, active and safe. John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch shares a special thanks in his Christmas message. See it here: https://www.facebook.com/ As we continue to grow from strength to strength we encourage you to keep connected with us via our social media channels of Twitter https://twitter.com/N_Watch and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ Yours Faithfully  Neighbourhood Watch Central Support Team www.ourwatch.org.uk |
Contacting The Police
Cheshire Police Notice:
We are currently making a concerted effort to direct members of the public to alternative methods of contact, to ensure that 101 is used just for crime. From the Cheshire Police web site you can:
Face to Face – encouraging people to visit local stations/helpdesks or attend a local PCSO surgery.
General Enquiries
Contact an Officer - for anyone wishing to speak to a named officer allocated to their incident, and is useful for when officers are not on duty.
Incident Updates
Speeding Issues
Social Media – General concerns can be raised to any of the Cyberbeat accounts (Facebook and Twitter), though recordable incidents or crimes ought to be directed through the other channels.
And of course any member of the public or council can contact me at this email address….
PCSO 20405 Stephen Parr
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone: 01606 36 3524
Visit www.cheshire.police.uk | Follow @PoliceChester on Twitter | Like Chester Police on Facebook
Frodsham Community Centre Newsletter
We now have a new team bringing you the Newsletter so we hope you like the slightly new look and I apologise for it being a couple of days late.
This month we report on Frodsham Players wonderful production of 'Christmas Carol' and look forward to the Panto Group's wonderful Alice in Wonderland. We have the '200 Club' winners as usual and the forthcoming attractions at the Centre.
In future months we hope to bring you articles on some of the new Groups and the new Staff members and Volunteers who have joined us recently. You may wish to shine a spotlight on your own group, or some of its members. If you do please contact Louise Marshall, our Booking Secretary.
As always you can read more about this by downloading your copy of this month's CentrePoints here or pick up printed copies at the Centre.
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