Neighbour and PCSO prevent £4,000 fraud
PCSO and neighbour work together to stop elderly woman being scammed of £4,000. - Credit: Police-STOCK
A quick-thinking neighbour and an alert PCSO prevented an elderly woman being scammed out of £4,000.
East Cambs Police said it happened in Ely.
A police spokesperson said the victim was an “elderly and vulnerable woman”.
A man had knocked at her door in Ely and claimed her gutters needed cleaning so she wrote him a cheque.
“However, he took the cheque and another blank one which he fraudulently filled out and signed for £4,000,” said the spokesperson.
“Thankfully, we were alerted by a neighbour and one of our PCSOs was able to contact the victim’s bank before the cheque was cashed.”
Police said they continue to investigate and “we are doing best to track down the offender”.
Most Read
- 1 Murder trial hears of 'appalling catalogue of injuries' suffered by baby
- 2 8,000 homes plan criticised over ‘hidden green belt destruction’
- 3 Relief for clinical Soham as four-month winless run is over
- 4 Take a look inside this £600,000 converted barn hidden in the Fens
- 5 Hospital study shows daily capsules could help long Covid sufferers
- 6 Plumbing ringleader who ‘traded under multiple names’ jailed
- 7 Villagers confront the challenge of Corkers rising from the ashes
- 8 Supermarkets issue urgent product recall after salmonella found in products
- 9 Match ball from Cambridge United's victory against Newcastle to be raffled for charity
- 10 Football club reunion bids to bring good times back to Barry
The spokesperson warned: “Please be vigilant and look out for vulnerable relatives and neighbours.
“Criminals may offer gardening work or maintenance services as a cover story, or carry out substandard, unnecessary or overpriced work.
“They can use persuasive sales techniques to pressure people into make hasty decisions.”
