Fake Cop Scams Elderly Women for £500 Covid Fine in Stratford
A shameless fraudster posing as a police officer tried to swindle two elderly women out of £500 near the Stratford Centre, E15 last Friday, 29 January.
The man told the women they had broken Covid rules and demanded a hefty fine, escorting them to a cash point. Luckily, real police officers spotted the con and swooped in to arrest him on the spot.
Thug Busted for Blackmail and Impersonating Police
The suspect was promptly charged with blackmail and pretending to be a cop. Detective Inspector Vince Fedder of the Met’s North East Criminal Investigation Unit warned the public:
“Thankfully officers were on scene and quickly dealt with this incident. However, the public need to be aware that some people may well see the current emergency as an opportunity to exploit others.”
“I appreciate these are frightening and lonely times. We want to avoid causing extra distress. A simple chat on spotting fake officers could stop someone falling victim to scams.”
If you or someone you know has been targeted, call police on 101 immediately.
How to Spot a Bogus Police Officer
- Real cops not in uniform will always show their warrant card — look for a hologram and the Commissioner’s signature, NOT the holder’s.
- Ask for their warrant number and ring 101 to verify their identity.
- Genuine officers will never ask for remote access to your computer or for you to click suspicious links.
- They won’t send unsolicited emails with attachments, especially weird files like zip or macro-enabled ones.
- Never give out login credentials, bank details, PINs, or transfer money at their request.
- Police will never ask for cash or bank cards handed over to couriers.
- Fines or fees won’t be demanded in person, over the phone, or online.
- They won’t threaten you with arrest or accusations of crimes for non-payment or non-compliance.
Stay Safe: If in Doubt, Call 101
Fraudsters sometimes keep phone lines open after you hang up. Wait five minutes before calling 101 back to make sure the line is clear and you’re speaking to genuine police.
Stay alert and protect yourself from these cold scams.
