Wine Investment Fraud 03/07/2015

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) wishes to remind investors that fraudsters are still active and are using various methods to dupe victims into investing in fine wine.
 
Whilst it might be easy to identify a fraudulent investment in non-existent fine wine, there is another tactic which is much harder to detect that relies on limited knowledge of the investor in this specific area. 
 
In many cases, the fraud relates to the value of the wine as opposed to the existence of the wine. Therefore, fraudsters will be able to prove to the victims that they have the wine in stock, however the wine in stock will be significantly cheaper than the inflated price the fraudsters ask the victims to pay.
 
Whilst it may look like a ‘real deal’, the dramatically inflated prices make the promise of any returns unrealistic. 
 
Assessments of reports show that fraudsters charge victims an average of 47% more than the comparative market values at the time of sale.
 
The brokers who typically cold call victims boast that an increasing market in China will guarantee tax free profits. When questioned about risk, fraudsters will convincingly say that it is “extremely low”.
 
How to protect yourself against investment fraud:

• If you’re considering any type of investment, always remember: if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. High returns can only be achieved with high risk.If you get a call out of the blue, be wary; if in doubt don’t be polite, just hang up.
• Take the time to seek independent legal or financial advice before making a decision.
• Always check the credentials of the company you’re dealing with. Check for known fraudulent organisations at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it onlinehttp://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040. 

Fraudulent Apple Pay Alert

Fraudsters are targeting classified advertisement websites like AutoTrader to advertise vehicles for sale. Buyers are then contacting these ‘sellers’ to find out more about the vehicles and are being told to pay for them via ‘Apple Pay’. In this case the fraudsters are not using the genuine Apple Pay service and potential victims pay money directly to bank accounts in control of the fraudsters. Individuals receive emails claiming to be from Apple Pay with a web link to a cloned website with false terms and conditions of the ‘escrow’ service. Any money remitted to the fraudsters is then unrecoverable and the vehicles are not delivered.
 
Protect yourself:

• Meet the seller ‘face to face’ and view the vehicle before parting with any money.
• Be cautious of web links in an email. They may not direct you to the genuine website.
• Report scam advertisements to the classified advertisement websites.
• If the vehicle is below market value, consider whether this is an opportunity too good to be true!

July 2015 Newsletter

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by Phil Brandreth (Police, PCSO, Western Rural NPU)

Monthly Newsletter    July 2015
Western Rural Police Team 
Email   western.rural.npu@cheshire.pnn.police.uk
Twitter  @WesternRuralNPU
Website    www.cheshire.police.uk
Message from Inspector Keith Curbishley
It has been necessary for Cheshire Constabulary to make organisational changes in order to continue to deliver a quality service into the future. Without cutting front line police officers, the existing Neighbourhood Policing Units (NPU’s), of which ‘Western Rural’ is one, are being restructured into Local Policing Units, (LPU’s) covering different geographical areas. The majority of the Western Rural NPU will be encompassed into the new Chester LPU. The only Western Rural beats which are not joining Chester LPU are Tarporley, Cudduinton & Oulton which will be covered by the new Northwich LPU. Officers will continue to respond to and deal with incidents in exactly the same way. The majority of these organisational changes are taking place during early July.
I will be taking up a new post in Force Headquarters. This change will mean that my Western Rural Monthly and Weekly Newsletters will cease to exist in their current guise. Let me reassure you that the newsletters will continue, possibly seeing some new content and format, under a new Inspector. Thank you for the support and constructive comments that you have made about the evolving communication formats that have been introduced. I hope that you have found them beneficial and informative.

Read more: July 2015 Newsletter

Frodsham Singathon

Frodsham Community Centretainments Group are planning a Singathon to be held on Saturday 27 th February 2016 at Frodsham Community Centre. 

It is our intention to have a wonderful community-wide event to celebrate the joy of singing and music. To involve all age groups, from school groups to senior choirs, and to include all types of music from pop to jazz, classic to folk. A 12-hour singing event for everyone to join in and sing.

Read more: Frodsham Singathon