Category: Community

Students are being recruited, sometimes unwittingly, as “mules” by criminals to transfer illegally obtained money between different bank accounts. What is a money mule? A money mule is someone who is recruited by those needing to launder money obtained illegally. Criminals advertise fake jobs in newspapers and on the internet in a number of ways, usually offering opportunities to make money quickly, in order to lure potential money mule recruits. These include: Social media posts Copying genuine company’s websites to create impression of legitimacy Sending mass emails offering employment Targeting individuals that have posted their CVs on employment websites Students are particularly susceptible to adverts of this nature. For someone in full-time education, the opportunity for making money quickly can understandably be an attractive one. The mule will accept money into their bank account, before following further instructions on what to do with the funds. Instructions could include transferring the money into a separate specified account or withdrawing the cash and forwarding it on via money transfer service companies like Western Union or MoneyGram. The mule is generally paid a small percentage of the funds as they pass through their account. Money Laundering is a criminal offence which can lead to prosecution and a custodial sentence. Furthermore, it can lead to the mule being unable to obtain credit in the UK and prevented from holding a bank account.

Protect Yourself
Be aware that the offence of money laundering carries a maximum prison sentence, in the UK, of 14 years.
Never give the details of your bank account to anyone that you do not trust.
No legitimate company will ever ask you to use your own bank account to transfer their money. Don’t accept any job offers that ask you to do this.
Be wary of unsolicited emails or social media posts promising ways of earning easy money. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t be afraid to question the legitimacy of any businesses that make you a job offer, especially if the recruitment procedure strays from the conventional.

Enquiries about dental appointments, seagulls causing a nuisance or requests for bus timetables are not appropriate calls for the police. Below are some calls we have received recently on the 101 line:

1. My BT landline is not working and I can’t get through on the fault line
2. Reporting there is a Frisbee in a field
3. My front door won’t shut
4. When does the Natwest bank open?
5. Mobile phone company asking what mobiles Police Officers use trying to make a sale
6. My printer was delivered from Argos today but no warranty with it
7. Can I have the details of a locksmith as my key won’t turn in the lock anymore?
8. Why has the traffic slowed down?
9. Can you get me the talk talk contact number?
10. Who should I vote for in the upcoming election?
11. Found roller skate in back garden and wanted police to collect it
12. Seagull going to toilet on my car as neighbour feeds them
13. I need help with crossword something a policeman holds, t something s something, something, taser!
14. I want a sign up to say bull in field as a warning to ramblers
15. 118 not working so thought to try 101
16. Cannot find my dental appointment and can’t get through to dentist
17. Wanting travel updates for Ringwood
18. Complaint that the google car is going around the streets
19. Complaint taxi was waiting outside and the fumes were annoying her
20. My mum won’t give me any money
21. Male wanting to report his wife for making him pay for her taxi
22. Wanting a lift from Dorchester to Bournemouth
23. A cat has caught a bat
24. New to area wants directions to B&Q
25. Caller unhappy with service of NHS & wanted to know what the police can do to help
26. We had a séance and now Dorset Police won’t answer the phones
27. My cat has got into neighbours garden and I’m worried their dog will attack it
28. Who should I pay my car insurance to?
29. How do I donate my car to the fire brigade to use for cutting?

Please think before you call. Only call Dorset Police if you need police assistance

People selling their items on online platforms are falling victim to a new type of advance fee fraud. This involves a fraudster, posing as a buyer, sending an email to the seller (victim), agreeing to the full asking price of the item. They state that they are unable to collect the item themselves and will arrange for a courier to pick it up instead.

The fraudster then sends a fake payment confirmation email from a different email address, one which falsely purports to be from a payment platform. In the course of the email exchange, the seller/victim is requested to pay the courier fee. Once the payment is made the contact is broken, the item is not picked up and the money paid for the ‘courier’ is gone.

An example of the most recent emails received by the victim/seller, from the ‘Buyer’, read:

“I want you to consider this a deal as i am willing to pay your full asking price! i actually want to buy it for a family member who is urgently in need of it, i have checked through your posting and i’m fully satisfied with it. Unfortunately, i would not be able to come personally to view/collect, i work offshore as an instructor on a oil rig so i dont have time at all, but like i said i am 100% OK with the advert”
Protect Yourself:

• Be wary when buyers wish to purchase items at the full asking price without viewing them.
• Check the validity of the payment receipt confirmation
• Avoid paying an advanced fee if you are a seller; should you choose to use a courier, arrange your own.
• Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller/buyer. Feedback will give you useful information about recent transactions other buyers/sellers have made.

If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Did you know that many services are available through the website?

Do It Online is a contact portal that can be found on the front page of our website www.dorset.police.uk. Here you can select the service most appropriate to your enquiry and complete the form as directed. Please give as much information as you can to help us answer your enquiry.

The Do It Online function enables you to make enquiries without the need of calling 101, therefore saving your time and any unnecessary expense.

Unfortunately, yesterday between the hours of 1330 and 1700, a property on Blandford Road, Iwerne Minster was broken into and an untidy search was conducted. Entry was gained via a side window and electrical items taken. It is a similar MO to recent breaks in the areas between Blandford and Shaftesbury and it is being considered that they may be linked.

Anyone with any information with regards to this is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting Occ No.55160116247. Thank you

We have received several reports recently of an HMRC scam whereby people are getting automated messages, supposedly from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, stating monies need to be paid and law suits are being filed.

We are aware of this scam and are encouraging residents not to give out any personal details and not to call back where messages have been left. If you feel the need to contact HMRC, please only do so through numbers sourced by yourself and to leave a period of time after you have received any contact from possible scammers.

Please spread the word to your friends and family, particularly those who you feel may be vulnerable to this type of scam.

MEET AND GREET’ YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM

It’s that time of year again; The Great Dorset Steam Fair is on it’s way to the Tarrant Valley.  As always, Blandford NPT will be running our community engagement and reassurance operation during the Steam Fair period.  We will have our dedicated team deployed to the Tarrant Valley between:
16^th August – 30^th August 2016
In order for members of the local community to meet the team, discuss any concerns or ask any crime prevention advice, we have organised two dedicated time slots where the team will be available at Tarrant Hinton Village Hall to meet with you:
Friday 29^th July – 10:00-11:00 – Drop-in Surgery*
Thursday 4^th August – 19:00-20:00 – Drop-in surgery*
*Subject to operational commitments at the time

Many thanks,

Blandford NPT

Do It Online is a contact portal that can be found on the front page of our website www.dorset.police.uk. Here you can select the service most appropriate to your enquiry and complete the form as directed. The Do It Online function enables you to make enquiries without the need of calling 101, therefore saving your time and any unnecessary expense.

• Report a crime or Incident – If you have something to report, which isn’t happening now, please use this form under the Do it Online tab
• Request a call back – You can ask us to give you a call back at a time that suits you by going to this section of the website
• Message for an Officer – If you would like to leave a message for a specific employee you can do so online using this tab under the Do it Online tab
• Make a complaint – If you wish to make a complaint or leave feedback for us you can do so using the new Complaints or other Feedback form found under the Do it Online section
• Freedom of information – Would you like to obtain some information under the Freedom of Information Act? Please visit this section of the website
• Compliments & feedback – You can use this section, found under the Do it Online section of the website, to provide us with comments, compliments and suggestions about the service we provide
• General enquiry – You can make a general enquiry quickly and easily without the need to call 101 and wait in a queue.
• Email us – You can send an email to 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk
• Call us – If you cannot use our online services, call 101 for non-emergency issues
• Finally, remember: in an emergency, dial 999

Dorset Police is thanking the public for their help in driving down burglary in the county, but are reminding residents to stay vigilant in the busy summer months.

The Force typically experiences a peak in the level of dwelling burglaries during the summer months, but figures from June this year are already showing improvement, thanks to the combined effort of the police, partners and the public.

In the period from 2012 to 2015, the average number of dwelling burglaries in June was 148. Last month, June 2016, the Force experienced 93.

The warmer months have previously shown a higher number of dwelling burglaries than other points in the year, but the statistics show that there has been a consistent improvement in this area. From April to June 2012, there were 496 incidents. In the same period in 2014 this had decreased to 398 and the figures for 2016 show 309.

Though recognising and valuing this success, officers are still encouraging members of the public to familiarise themselves with crime prevention advice and to continue following simple steps to keep their homes safe.

Detective Inspector (DI) Andy Dilworth, of the Dorset Police priority crime team, said: “It is fantastic to see the number of dwelling burglaries in Dorset steadily decreasing, but there is still plenty of work to be done.

“You can stop your home from becoming a target for criminals by following our crime prevention advice this summer, whether you are spending it at home or away.

DI Dilworth continued: “Warmer days and evenings mean people are more inclined to leave windows and doors open, or to enjoy their back gardens out of sight of the front of their properties.

“Remember to always lock your doors and windows wherever possible and to keep the front of your house secure if you are around the back.

“Burglars may use any opportunity to gain access to your property, so don’t give them the chance.”

POLICE GUIDANCE

• Always keep your windows and doors closed and locked where possible, even if you are inside or near your property.
• Use a light timer switch when you know you will be away from your home when it is dark.
• If you are going on holiday, ask a friend or neighbour to park on your driveway, make sure any post is put through your letter box properly and put in and take out your bins. If all other bins in your street are out, it is easy to spot which properties are unoccupied.
• Cancel regular deliveries, such as milk or newspapers, if you are going away.
• Fit a burglar alarm and make sure it’s set when your property is unoccupied.
• Register valuable property online at http://immobilise.com, mark your property with your postcode or keep an inventory including description, serial number and photograph of each item.
• Install tracking apps on your mobile devices such as phones, tablets or laptops. These apps make it easier to locate stolen property.

Sign up to your local Neighbourhood or Home Watch Scheme and ask them to keep an eye on your home while you are away. You can sign up to your local scheme via Dorset Alert (https://www.dorsetalert.co.uk) or find out more information on the Neighbourhood Watch website (http://www.ourwatch.org.uk)

More crime prevention information is available at: https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/crime-prevention-help-advice/protect-your-home/