Fraud in St Ann's Chapel

Police are warning members of the public to be vigilant following a recent spate of frauds in the Cornwall and Plymouth areas.

Several members of the public have reported incidents involving a man (possibly purporting to be Swiss) offering them watches and coats in exchange for cash.

The suspect has been fabricating stories in order to coax money out of people.

Incidents have occurred in the St Austell, Liskeard, St Ann’s Chapel, Saltash and Plymouth areas.

In Belle Vue Road, Saltash between 11am and 2pm on 22 June an elderly man was approached by a suspect claiming to be the son of his best friend. He told the man that he was desperately in need of money so that he could get to Switzerland.  

The suspect then handed over two watches and asked for £250. The victim only had £50 but handed that over.  

The suspect is described as a white smartly dressed male, 40 years old, 5ft 7in, and of a tubby build with a round face.  

Later that day in St Austell and in Liskeard other members of the public were approached by a man matching the same description. They were offered watches at a price of £250 - cash only.  

In St Ann’s Chapel on the same day another member of the public was approached and asked to make a cash offer for coats worth £1000.  

None of these three parted with any money.  

In Plymouth’s Barbican at around 3.30pm a 77-year-old man was approached. The man pretended to know him and said that he needed £250 to enable him to get home. The victim went to a cashpoint and handed over the money.  

The suspect promised to return the money and handed over two watches and a gold card as collateral before driving away.  

Police have three possible vehicles that are linked to these reports: a grey Ford Focus reg. KF07 OOH, a silver VW Golf reg. U54 WJL, and a silver Renault Scenic reg. MJ05 HDG.  

A police spokesman said: “We are linking all these incidents and strongly advising anyone not to part company with any cash if approached by anyone using such tactics.  

“We would be very keen to hear from anyone who has any information whatsoever regarding this person to please contact us.”  

Anyone who has any information is asked to please call police on 08452 777444 quoting log 434 22/06/10 (St Austell), 704 22/06/10 EC/10/6274 (Plymouth), 991 22/06/10 (Saltash), 960 and 415 22/06/10 (Liskeard).

Have you or anyone you know been approched by this man? I live in St Ann's Chapel so I'll keep my eyes peeled!