TWO men has been arrested today after a police investigation into a series of frauds committed against elderly people in the borough and neighbouring Reading.
Earlier this year, The Wokingham Paper reported on a string of thefts in Wokingham town, but today the police said that there had been nine separate incidents, all taking place between Friday, January 18 and Monday, February 4.
The fraudsters targeted their victims by calling them and claiming to be Detective Constable Tony Moore, a bogus name, from Hammersmith Police. He told them they had become part of a fraud investigation.
The offender asked the victims to call 999 for verification, but the offender did not hang up, meaning the telephone line was left open. When the victim called they spoke to a woman, another offender, who verified the false officer name and shoulder number.
Each of the victims were instructed to place their jewellery, bank cards and PIN numbers into an envelope which was later collected by a courier.
After handing over the items, the victims were told that Detective Constable Emma Pimms, another false name, would be in contact with them.
The bank cards were later used to fraudulently purchase goods in the Reading area.
- The first incident took place on Friday, January 18 around 6pm on Acorn Drive, Wokingham
- The second incident took place on Thursday, January 24 sometime between 5pm and 8.30pm on De Vitre Green, Wokingham
- The third incident took place on Friday, January 25 sometime between 9.45am and 4pm on Reading Road, Wokingham
- The fourth incident took place on Friday, January 25 around 3.45pm in Bell House Gardens, Wokingham
- The fifth incident took place on Thursday, February 1 around noon on Northcourt Avenue, Reading
- The sixth incident took place on Monday, February 4 around noon on Palmer Close, Crowthorne
- The seventh incident took place on Monday, February 4 around 12.20pm in Rowan Court, Earley
- The eighth incident took place on Monday, February 4 around 6pm on Alder Close, Earley
- The ninth incident took place on Monday, February 4 around 8pm on Earlsfield Close, Caversham.
As a result of their enquiries, Thames Valley Police said that a 25-year-old man from Reading was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and money laundering and a 32-year-old man from Reading was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, money laundering and conspiracy to kidnap.
The duo are in police custody at this time.
In a statement, Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Alistair Marman from the Economic Crime Unit at Loddon Valley police station, said: “Following an investigation, I can confirm that two arrests have been made in connection with a fraud series targeting elderly residents in Wokingham and Reading.
“Local residents can help to reduce the risk of becoming a victim by following this crime prevention advice:
- The police will never arrange for a courier to collect valuables from you.
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a police officer and asking you to send valuable items in this way, you should hang up immediately and contact Thames Valley Police on 101. Do not call any other number given to you.
- When making this call it is important to use a different phone to the one that you have been contacted on. If no other phone is available, you should wait at least five minutes to ensure the phone line has cleared before making the phone call.
- To verify the identity of any police officer, you should ask for their name and shoulder number and then call 101 to speak with the relevant police force. Always make this call from a different telephone, or wait at least five minutes for the line to clear.
“I would also encourage anyone with elderly or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make them aware of this type of fraud.”
For more advice about how to protect yourself against fraud visit the Thames Valley Police website
