Draining fraudsters con Brighton pensioner out of £100k

A Brighton pensioner has lost more than £100,000 to fraudsters who duped her three times in a year.

The 69-year-old woman from Hollingdean was falsely told that drainage work had to be carried out.

She was one of 15 people who were called by a criminal gang who press people into handing over money.

The conmen say that it is needed to pay for hiring drainage equipment.

Sussex Police has issued an appeal for information to help catch the gang who are stealing tens of thousands of pounds from the vulnerable.

As well as 15 people in Sussex who have contacted police, six people in Surrey and seven in London have reported receiving similar calls.

In 12 of the 28 cases, the victims have handed over money to the fraudsters and in some cases victims have been targeted repeatedly.

The woman in Hollingdean was one of nine victims in the Brighton and Hove area – two were from Woodingdean, one was from Rottingdean and another from Hove.

Other victims were called in Southwick, Lewes, Newick, Burgess Hill and Eastbourne.

Last year almost identical cases were reported to Sussex Police by people in Worthing, Chichester and East Grinstead.

Detective Constable Leon Ryan said: “We do not know if it is one gang responsible or several gangs but they all use the same tactics to get money.

“They target vulnerable members of the community and worry them by claiming drainage work needs doing in the area. They pressure them and ask for money to hire the necessary equipment.

“At times they have told victims if they don’t get the work done it could damage their neighbour’s home and try to make them feel guilty.

“It is very upsetting for the victims to discover they have handed over thousands of pounds for nothing.

“They feel embarrassed and foolish and there could be some victims who are so upset they have not contacted us.

“We need to speak to anyone who may have been a victim so we can track down those responsible and prevent more people being targeted.”

Anyone with information about the frauds is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Sussex Police said: “If you are suspicious about someone who visits you at home call 999.”