Be aware of ‘distressed’ woman scammer

[colville09]

Last weekend a friend had the bad luck to cross paths with a woman con artist crying that she had been robbed. This was near East Dulwich station, this scumbag then took her to several cash machines before escorting her home and getting in her house. Unfortunately they still think they have found an easy mark so it does not stop here. So, please be aware of the ‘distressed’ woman approach but even more importantly if you see anything / anyone in odd behaviour around someone who might be vunerable please step in and challenge. If the person is genuine they will understand. These people can fool anyone but please trust your instincts and look out for others.

[Pugwash]

It sounds as though the same woman is operating in the Woodwarde Road area. Saying that she wanted to phone someone as she was diabetic and lost her medication.

previous post - this should be reported to Goose Green SNT

[colville09]

Thank you Pugwash, reported to Police at time, forensics gathered and SNT informed. These people are nasty, unsure what level of menace used so please please look out for them. X

[cassidy]

So sorry this happened to your friend hope she's ok

[Pugwash]

Heard today of another incident - not clear if same woman. An elderly friend was in a local church when a woman sat next to her saying that she had an appointment with the minister re her grandmother who recently died. Minister did not turn up by which time, woman who was smartly dressed in her late 30s/early 40s imparted her life story. My friend went to leave and woman followed her talking on the phone allegedly to her mother in Brighton. Woman followed my friend and asked if she could go to her house for a couple of hours. Friend said that her family were waiting for her at home and she could not go in. At this point woman asked for £20, friend gave a very clear No, and woman went away. Friend took a longer route home in case woman was following her. This incident took place a day or so after the Woodwarde Road incident. Not clear if same woman. It is being reported to the Dulwich Hill SNT on Weds.

[colville09]

Sounds absolutely like the same woman. The ‘talking on the phone to her mother and reference to Brighton’, same description. She is obviously targeting older women who she thinks live alone. Well done to your friend for getting away from her.

[Pugwash]

I attended the Dulwich Hill SNT meeting today. Was hoping my friend would attend to give first hand report but she is in her eighties, so may be reluctant to go out alone. I reported the incident for her and also mentioned the Woodwarde Road one. Police will get in touch with my friend to get more details. Advice is not to let anyone in your home that you do not know. If they say they need to ring someone, offer to ring the person yourself but do not let them in. If a genuine person, they will give you a number etc.

Any suspicious callers please let your SNT know - they can build up a picture of what is going on and if common to a specific area.

[Pugwash]

This seems to be related to previous incidents, especially the continuous phone calls. Scammer seems to be targeting older people and those with disabilities/dementia. Both of my friends are in their 80s (one is partially sighted and lives alone). Both ladies are alert mentally and were able to deal with situation. However one lady feels that her home was being watched as the woman who knocked on her door asked whether her carer was due that day. A friend who had been visiting her the day before, said she was accosted by the same woman who stated she was being stalked by her ex husband and asked for a lift down Court Lane. It was not until my friend mentioned the comment re carer, that they realized it was the same woman. This needs to be reported to the police - who have been investigating an earlier incident

[colville09]

Yes, I’m sure it’s the same people. My friend (the first post in this thread) was bombarded by ‘funny’ follow up calls, after the original incident, that went on for days. Even if other people answered the phone, they tried to speak to her directly even pretending to be the police.. ‘my sergeant and I will be round tonight to catch the bad woman’. I suspect it’s a family enterprise.

[Pugwash]

Sheltered Housing Units no longer have 'wardens' who used to live in or come in daily, so incidences like this can happen. It is important that all the residents of this block are made aware of how easy it is to be taken in by these 'professional scammers'. Hopefully the incident was reported to the SNT -. It may be that the SHU has a dedicated Housing Officer - who should also be informed. This may also be a case for the Safeguarding Adults Team at Social Services.

Has the SHU got Security Cameras? If so police could check back to see if they were recorded.