This message is dated Friday 8th April 2022 - Maidenhead
Alert message sent 08/04/2022 15:22:00
Information sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police
BEFORE WE START – ANOTHER COURIER FRAUD TO REPORT – AGAIN, SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT:
5/4 First call 4.15 p.m. followed by 6 other calls, supposedly from a ‘Liam’ who worked in the fraud department at their bank. He explained that there had been some fraud on their accounts and £500 had been transferred from one of their bank accounts, to a woman called ‘Elsie’ ? The victims revealed details of their various bank accounts, when asked ‘to protect them’.
‘Liam’, went on to say there was unlawful activity at the bank branch in question. Would they help the police track the offenders within the bank ?
‘Liam’ then explained to them how to load some software into their computer, so that he could examine at their accounts, to see what was going on. We call this ‘proxying’ their computer. He had access to everything in their computer hard drive remotely.
The next day, the calls continued - with another 4 calls. ‘Liam’ instructed them to go to their bank and withdraw £25,000 cash. Fortunately the bank was closed and he could not withdraw the cash.
‘Liam’ also explained that the people involved in the frauds, also had burglar associates. Did they have anything in the house that was valuable ? The victim confirmed, he had £10,000 in cash and his wife’s jewellery, valued at £25,000, along with some other valuable items. The victims were asked to take a video of the jewellery on their mobile phones and forward it to ‘Liam’ – which they did. ‘Liam’ explained the safest place for the cash, jewellery and other items, was the police station and he would send a courier for it.
Everything was to be placed in a back pack and handed to the courier. The courier would have a code, to prove he was genuine – The victims were to say – ‘Mr. Irvin, I need you to take this to my son’. The courier would place a shirt over the backpack, to hide it from view.
A dirty black BMW arrived at the appointed time, the passwords were used and the back pack handed over.
Later that day ‘Liam’ called again to say, he still needed the £25,000 cash and it is believed the cash was transferred online to a safe ‘Police’ account.
Later that day, the victim had an opportunity to speak to their son, who explained that this was a Courier Fraud. The victims are confused about what has happened and It now appears the initial £25,000, which could not be handed over in cash, may have been transferred to a safe ‘Police’ account.
Police advice has been given.
When answering the phone the only word you use is ‘Hello’. Listen – to the person on the other end. If they are not someone you know:
PUT THE PHONE DOWN ! DO NOT ENGAGE.
CRIME
I have attached reference numbers to each crime report. If you live in the vicinity of any of the crimes mentioned and have CCTV or a video doorbell, can you please check the footage. If you have any that might be of interest to the police, can you please make contact with us, quoting reference number given.
Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email - www.crimestoppers-uk.org
MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk
6/4 – 7/4 Wednesday 10.30 p.m. / Thursday 8.30 a.m. Cordwallis Road. Both car index plates stolen from a Black Toyota Yaris. Index CY ** EWK. Ref. No: 43220149426
7/4 Thursday 8.20 a.m. / 6.45 p.m. Station Approach. Bike locked in a bike rack stolen. A grey bike. Ref. No; 43220150841
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
7/4 Thursday 11.15 a.m. White Rock / Ray Mill Road east. Poaching / illegal fishing on the lake. Ref.No: 43220149619
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
6/4 Wednesday 10.25 a.m. Station Road, Cookham. Car index plates cloned. Ref. No: 432201148001
6/4 – 7/4 Wednesday 6 p.m. / Thursday 7 a.m. Farm, Church Road, Cookham. Digger and Dumper Truck stolen. Ref. No: 43220149785
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
Please consider using our online reporting system but please note this reporting tool is not for use where a crime happening right now, the suspect is still at the scene, or anyone seriously injured or in immediate danger.
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/
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Eyes, ears.....and Brain
Jeff
Jeffrey.pick@thamesvalley.police.uk
FROM THE MAIDENHEAD NHW ASSOCIATION:
Maidenhead Neighbourhood Watch Association is growing fast, and with more members joining every day, we need to ask for volunteers to join us on the association to help keep the association going and keep Maidenhead safe!
Here is a shortlist of the positions we have available:
Multi-Scheme Administrator (MSA)
Secretary of the Association
Board members of the Association
Vice-Chairman of the Association
Please visit our website: MaidenheadNHWA.org.uk and from there you will be able to see all the different ways you can get involved to help support your local community. There is no time commitment or dedicated hours, but we do ask if you can attend the association meetings (One 60 Minute meeting every 2 months)
If you have any question about any of the positions available, please feel free to contact us at contact@MaidenheadNHWA.org.uk
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Kind regards,
James Cooper HNDip, MBCS
Chairman – Maidenhead Neighbourhood Watch Association & Vice-Chair for Thames Valley Neighbourhood Watch Association
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