Caithness.org News Index

Front Page Archives

POLICE WARNING RE BOGUS CALLERS 29 July 03
Northern Constabulary are today warning householders about bogus callers who are currently working within the Force area.

In the Caithness and Sutherland area, a number of calls have been made to police by members of the public concerned about callers to their door who would appear to be opportunist thieves.

In a number of incidents in the Wick, Bettyhill and Dunbeath area, householders have been approached this morning by a man purporting to be from the Water Board and when householders are distracted, has made off with money from the house.

The man is described as being possibly in his 30s, dark skinned and smartly dressed with an Irish accent and on at least one occasion presented a piece of card as identification but left prior to the householder checking it out fully.  It is thought he maybe driving a red Ford Focus with an " AF " prefix.

Detective Inspector Murdo Fraser said today, "We have had 7 incidents reported to far however many more may have taken place which have not been reported to the police, I would appeal to the public in this area not to let anyone into their house unless prior arrangement has been made with a company or identificaiton has been fully checked."

Please note that D.I. Fraser can be contacted at Lerwick Police Office, Shetland by broadcast media who wish an interview Tel No 01595 692110.

On 25 July the bogus callers would appeared to be heading south and have appeared in the Carrbridge and Aviemore areas targeting elderly residents and relieving them of thousands of pounds worth of life savings.

Yesterday in a number of incidents in the Wick, Bettyhill and Dunbeath area, householders were approached by a man purporting to be from the Water Board and when householders were distracted, he made off with money from the house. A similar situation has occured in the Badenoch and Strathspey area and police now believe that 2 and up to four men may be involved. They would all appear to be well dressed and seem to be plausible.  One man is described as being possibly in his 30s, dark skinned and smartly dressed with an Irish accent and on at least one occasion presented a piece of card as identification but left prior to the householder checking it out fully. It is thought he (or indeed all) maybe driving a red Ford Focus with an " AF " prefix.

If you have any information call your local police station