Author: Stourpaine Parish Council

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) wishes to remind investors that fraudsters are still active and are using various methods to dupe victims into investing in fine wine.

Whilst it might be easy to identify a fraudulent investment in non-existent fine wine, there is another tactic which is much harder to detect that relies on limited knowledge of the investor in this specific area.

In many cases, the fraud relates to the value of the wine as opposed to the existence of the wine. Therefore, fraudsters will be able to prove to the victims that they have the wine in stock, however the wine in stock will be significantly cheaper than the inflated price the fraudsters ask the victims to pay.

Whilst it may look like a ‘real deal’, the dramatically inflated prices make the promise of any returns unrealistic.

Assessments of reports show that fraudsters charge victims an average of 47% more than the comparative market values at the time of sale.

The brokers who typically cold call victims boast that an increasing market in China will guarantee tax free profits. When questioned about risk, fraudsters will convincingly say that it is “extremely low”.

How to protect yourself against investment fraud:

• If you’re considering any type of investment, always remember: if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. High returns can only be achieved with high risk.If you get a call out of the blue, be wary; if in doubt don’t be polite, just hang up.
• Take the time to seek independent legal or financial advice before making a decision.
• Always check the credentials of the company you’re dealing with. Check for known fraudulent organisations at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

Fraudsters are targeting classified advertisement websites like AutoTrader to advertise vehicles for sale. Buyers are then contacting these ‘sellers’ to find out more about the vehicles and are being told to pay for them via ‘Apple Pay’. In this case the fraudsters are not using the genuine Apple Pay service and potential victims pay money directly to bank accounts in control of the fraudsters. Individuals receive emails claiming to be from Apple Pay with a web link to a cloned website with false terms and conditions of the ‘escrow’ service. Any money remitted to the fraudsters is then unrecoverable and the vehicles are not delivered.

Protect yourself:

• Meet the seller ‘face to face’ and view the vehicle before parting with any money.
• Be cautious of web links in an email. They may not direct you to the genuine website.
• Report scam advertisements to the classified advertisement websites.
• If the vehicle is below market value, consider whether this is an opportunity too good to be true!

Theft of fuel cans
We have had a report of cans of fuel being stolen from a construction site in the North Dorset area.

These cans were not secured but hidden away near machinery and the area they were stolen from was closed to the public.

Please can we remind residents that opportunistic thieves are around and to keep items, however small, secured and safe.

Regards,
Kate Hann
North Dorset Safer Neighbourhood Team

Royal Mail e-mail scam
A scam email is currently being sent to victims fraudulently claiming to be from the Royal Mail. Attached to the email is the CryptoLocker virus.

The victim receives an email purporting to be from the Royal Mail stating that they are holding a parcel/letter for the victim. The victim is then required to contact the Royal Mail to arrange for the item to be resent/collected.

By following the instructions within the email the CryptoLocker virus is subsequently downloaded to the victim’s computer. This virus encrypts files on the victim’s system and requests a ransom be paid in order for the files to be decrypted.

Additional incentive is added for early repayment as the ransomware states that the cost of decrypting the files will increase the longer the fine is outstanding.

Protect yourself:

• Look at who the email is addressed to. Is it generic or specifically addressed?
• Look at the quality of the images included on the email. Are they of sufficient high quality that they could come from Royal Mail?
• Do not open attachments from unsolicited emails regardless of who they are from.
• Do not click on the link supplied. Instead, go to the relevant website and log in from there.
• Check the address of any email received to see if it appears legitimate.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040

Good Afternoon

Just a reminder that there will be a “Sheducation” event at the Blandford Rural Homewatch Meeting, held at Okeford Fitzpaine Village Hall at 1030am on Thursday 25th June.

If you would like further information, would like to be involved or have any suggestions for any other crime prevention activities then please reply to this message. Alternatively come and visit us on the day and have a chat or call 101.

Many Thanks

Blandford Rural SNT

Message sent by

Amy Crowfoot (Dorset Police, Communications and Engagement Department, Force HQ)

Click here to view the itinerary:

http://www.dorset.police.uk/pdf/NHW_Week_2015_Events_Lists_v2.pdf

Fraud and cyber crime are the key themes in this year’s Neighbourhood and Home Watch Week – a national event which encourages communities to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour by working together and increasing community spirit.

Community-led events will be happening all over Dorset between Saturday 20 June and Sunday 28 June 2015. This will include a cyber crime awareness day in Bournemouth and Blue Light Day in Shaftesbury, both on 27 June.

Neighbourhood and Home Watch groups work alongside organisations including the police, fire service, local authorities and the Dorset Association of Town and Parish Councils, to make their community a better place and to improve the quality of life for local people.

The police provide tips and tricks on how to bolster home and garden security and advice on personal safety and staying safe online and in the home – focusing on phone and doorstep fraud.

Members of Dorset Watch groups will be joining their fellow countrymen and women from across England and Wales during the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Week.

A total of 173,000 coordinators will be spending the week talking to their neighbours about the dangers of phone scams and cyber crime.
Dorset has lost over £1 million to phone fraudsters since March 2014 but since BT and other operators have shut the lines down, after two seconds of being disconnected, the police have not received any reports.

The message of never giving out bank details over the phone still applies. Criminals are likely to find different ways to scam people, so police will be attending events across the county to give out free, impartial advice on crime prevention and will encourage people to get into the habit of hanging up on fraudsters.

According to Neighbourhood Watch, new research shows that £23.6 million was lost nationally over the course of the year through phone fraud – the most common type of crime of this nature.

Tackling cyber crime is high on the agenda of Dorset Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and several other agencies and charities.

John Shave MBE, Association of Dorset Watches Chair, said: “National Neighbourhood and Home Watch week provides all groups with the opportunity to promote the benefits of Watch membership and crime prevention advice.

“Across the county, various groups will be running events and distributing materials. This year there is a particular focus on cyber crime and fraud in all its various forms.

Helen Brittan, Head of Volunteers Strategy Project, added: “Neighbourhood and Home Watches are the largest volunteer organisation in Dorset and they demonstrate community action at its best in helping to keep Dorset safe.

“Dorset Police supports Watches wholeheartedly in their role and this week highlights the vital volunteering work being undertaken by schemes.

“We are advising people to Hang Up On Fraudsters in our phone fraud campaign and people can get free advice on cyber crime by visiting www.getsafeonline.org.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill commented: “I would always encourage people to join up to their local watch scheme. Neighbourhood and Home Watch volunteers are perfectly placed to spot crime as they look out for each other and are able to spot anything suspicious and are a point of contact for the police.

“It’s about the community policing itself and it’s about the community and the police working together. I am a strong advocate of Neighbourhood Watch and I am proud that my office is contributing funds to the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Dorset.”