Essex Community Watch June 2022 by Peter Faulkner

Cowboy builders cashing in- P4-5

Insure your tools from thieves -P13

Stay alert to the loan sharks - P16

JUNE 2022

Fraud epidemic is worrying- P3

COMMUNITY WATCH MAGAZINE ESSEX

CHARITY WARNS DRUGS THAT LOOK LIKE SWEETS COULD KILL - P2

2 DRUGS WARNING Barclays warns BARCLAYS has issued a warning after a woman fell victim to a scam, costing her a staggering £40,000. They highlight an account involving a 50-yearold woman who was corresponding with a man she had met on a dating website. He told her he was an officer in the armed forces serving overseas, with his profile showing a man in uniform. At first, the dating website was their only method of communication, but personal email and phone followed. Over time, the suspect built a rapport with the victim and said he wanted to discharge himself from the army so they could be together but needed £40,000 for discharge. The victim sent over £40,000, and continued to provide him with funds when he asked. Her lover eventually disappeared. Barclays stressed how important it is for people to only give out personal details when necessary. Individuals may also wish to ask friends or family for a valuable second opinion. Published by Community Watch Publishing 110 Clifton Avenue Benfleet, Essex SS7 5QU Tel: 01268 566743 07958 475392 Email

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Sweets that could kill

Drugs that look like innocent sweets are being sold openly warns drug-testing charity A DRUG testing charity is warning dangerous synthetic cannabis, sold as marijuana sweets, could be putting buyers at risk of death. It comes after a 23-year-old woman died after eating a synthetic cannabis sweet that she'd ordered on a messaging app. Now The Loop charity, based in Surrey, says it's worried about a rise in the popularity of cannabis sweets known as gummies because without testing, it's impossible to tell what's inside them. “People are taking advantage of this,” said Guy Jones, a senior scientist at The Loop. "With herbal cannabis you can look at it you can smell it to decide whether it's real cannabis or not. “With these highly processed forms, that is completely out of the window." What's the difference? Both cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids commonly referred to as Spice - are illegal to produce possess, distribute or sell in the UK. Some people can be legally prescribed cannabis by healthcare professionals for various medical conditions, however. One is grown, the other is created in a lab designed to latch on the same receptors in the brain as cannabis, but with a completely different chemical structure. So even though some of the effects might seem familiar, the potential for different side effects is very different. Synthetic cannabinoids can cause hallucination, extreme paranoia and in the highest doses even death. "The concern is drug sellers are buying a

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regular supply of cannabis sweets and their supplier has gone out of stock," Guy says. “They find another supplier who says, 'I've got these really good cannabis sweets, they're really strong'. But it turns out this person is just trying to make a profit by using these really cheap synthetic cannabinoids." He says everyone downstream faces a "huge additional risk". Buyers think they're purchasing cannabis which has "essentially a non-existent risk of overdose". In reality they're buying synthetic cannabinoids, which "carry a very very significant potential for death or serious harm by overdose". It's not the first time these synthetic drugs have been in the news. In 2018, a prisoner who died after being found "slumped" in his cell at a Welsh prison, was found to have taken Spice. Two high school pupils in Northern Ireland were given medical treatment last year, after inadvertently consuming synthetic cannabis through an e-cigarette. The latest available data from the Office for National Statistics shows between 2018-2020, 169 deaths were recorded where the cause of death related to "poisoning" from synthetic cannabinoids. That's compared to 60 deaths in the three years before that. But as countries around the world have legalised the recreational use of marijuana, the market has expanded and so too has the way people want to consume it. Everything from vaporisers, oils and creams you can rub on your skin, to edible sugar sweets have become popular - particularly in the US and Canada, where it's legal.

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FRAUD EPIDEMIC 3

Fraud now accounts for 40% of all crimes recorded. The UK was already among the worst countries in Europe in terms of exposure to scams and fraud before the pandemic

Stay alert to the rise in fraud FRAUD has long been the crime you’re most likely to fall victim to, but it has now become an epidemic. A recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) report shows that an estimated 5.1 million fraud offences were committed in England and Wales in the year to September 2021 – up 36% in two years. Fraud now accounts for 40% of all crimes recorded.The UK was already among the worst countries in Europe in terms of exposure to scams and fraud before the pandemic compounded the problem. Scammers quickly exploited our fear and confusion, whether by impersonating the government to offer fake Covid-19 grants, setting up fake NHS websites to steal card details, or posing as delivery companies to target online shoppers stuck at home. These tactics aren’t going away and here we reveal the 12 emerging threats we all need to watch out for. Shopping and investment scams From November 2020 to December 2021, individual victims lodged a total of 448,838 fraud reports. Between them, they lost £1.9bn. Online shopping and auction fraud continues to dwarf other types of fraud, accounting for 23% of all reports, but investment fraud victims lose the most money. On average, victims of pyramid or Ponzi schemes lost

£50,400, compared to £650 for victims of online shopping scams. Online shopping and auction fraud You pay for goods on an online marketplace that don’t arrive, or don’t receive payments for goods you’ve sold. Follow our tips to spot a scam. Other advance fee fraud You pay an upfront fee related to fraud not classified elsewhere, for example career opportunities, clairvoyants or bogus officials. Shopping fraud Any other type of shopping fraud eg when buying goods from a newspaper ad in person or a shop on the high street. Excludes online shopping. Computer fixing fraud You pay a fee to a fraudster claiming they will fix a bogus technical issue on your computer. Other investment fraud Financial fraud involves foreign exchange, cryptocurrency or investment seminars. Dating scams Fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites/apps or target you on social media to establish a connection then ask for money. Boiler room scams You’re cold-called by fake stockbrokers and persuaded to buy shares or bonds in non-existent or near-bankrupt firms. Phone fraud Fraudsters pose as your mobile network to offer non-existent or worth-

less insurance.Also scams involving missed calls/texts that charge premium rates when you reply. Rental fraud You’re tricked into paying upfront fees to secure properties by fake landlords and letting agents. Pyramid/Ponzi schemes Schemes where you have to recruit friends or family (pyramid) or pay returns to early investors to gain credibility (Ponzi). Fraud recovery scams You’re asked to pay a fee to someone who pretends they can recover money you lost to a previous fraud. ‘419’ advance fee fraud Fraudsters pose as foreign officials asking for money to release millions from a fictional inheritance or government fund. Named after a section of the Nigerian criminal code. It’s often assumed that older people are more vulnerable to fraud, yet those aged 20 to 39 accounted for 39% of all reports to Action Fraud. This age group was more likely to report rental fraud, pyramid or Ponzi schemes and online shopping scams than other age groups. Those aged 60 to 79 submitted 20% of all reports (of the 12 fraud types we’ve focused on, the most commonly reported were computer fixing fraud, recovery fraud, and ‘419’ advance fee fraud).

4 DEMENTIA VICTIMS Rise in drug arrests ESSEX saw the third-highest increase in drug arrests in the country during the Covid-19 pandemic, a report has revealed. The number of drug-related arrests made by Essex Police officers jumped from 4,111 pre-pandemic to 7,261 in 2020/21, according to government statistics. In percentage terms, the drug arrests in Essex rose by 76.6% during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving the county only behind Cleveland (83.4%) and Leicestershire (83.6%) across the whole of the UK.

Buying vaccine online A SURVEY by Scamadvisor.com has found that 28 per cent of consumers could consider sourcing a COVID-19 vaccine online, particularly if they were able to buy it from an official source. The poll of more than 1,100 consumers indicated that the respondents would only buy a shot online if they believed it was genuine. However that could still leave them vulnerable to fraudsters who might try to sell fake vaccines through sites mocked up to look like legitimate sources, according to Scamadvisor.com, which compiled the study.

Misled into buying fakes ON average. nearly one in 10 Europeans (9 per cent) have said that they were misled into buying counterfeits, in a new report from the EU Intellectual Property Office. The report found that a third of Europeans (33 per cent) wondered whether a product they had bought was original, amid estimates that €121bn ($144bn) of fake goods are making their way into the EU every year – accounting for 6.8 per cent of total imports into the bloc. The counterfeits impacted every sector – from cosmetics and toys, wine and beverages, electronics, to clothing, and even pesticides– and can pose serious health and safety risks to consumers.

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Dementia could...

ANYONE can fall for a scam.You don't have to be old or vulnerable to become a victim of scammers and fraudsters. Even well educated, titled people have lost their life savings to smooth talking crooks. But there are some members of our community who can be more at risk – those living with dementia. They can be more at risk because they can find managing money and assessing risk harder.This can make them more vulnerable to scammers. What do we mean by scams? Scams are when criminals trick you into giving them access to your money. As well as losing you money, this can also leave you feeling scared and ashamed. Knowing the techniques scammers use can help you protect yourself and your money. Scams take many forms. Scammers can convince you to buy something that doesn’t exist or spend money when you don’t need to. They can pretend to be your bank, the police, or another trusted organisation to try to get your personal information, bank details or move your money.This can be by phone, email, letter, text or social media. Scammers can also pretend to be someone they’re not, such as pretending they’re there to do building work on your house, in order to be let into your home to steal from you. It may seem scary but there are ways to keep yourself safe. Four ways to avoid scams 1. Stay safe when buying online

It is increasingly common to purchase items online.This can be an efficient way of doing your shopping but we have heard of reports where people have purchased items that have then not arrived. There are some fraudulent sellers who set up fake online companies to steal money. It’s important to make sure you’re staying safe and avoiding these scams when shopping online. Tip: Check you’re buying from a real company. You can search for a company's details on GOV.UK.This will tell you if they're a registered company or not. If you’re buying something on a site you haven't used before, spend a few minutes checking it – start by finding its terms and conditions. The company’s address should have a street name, not just a post office box. Check to see what people have said about the company. It’s worth looking for reviews on different websites such as Which? – don’t rely on reviews the company has put on its own website. Sign up to Which?’s free scam alert email service that gives anyone who signs up the information to know how to spot, avoid and report a scam as well as information about the latest scams. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase and the item costs more than £100, use a credit card if you have one, as you might have a legal claim for credit card purchases above that amount if things go wrong. continued page 5

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DEMENTIA VICTIMS 5

...put you at risk from crooks From page 4 If you have paid by debit card or paid a lower amount, talk to your bank anyway. Don’t rely on seeing a padlock in the address bar of your browser - this doesn’t guarantee you’re buying from a real company. 2. Learn how to spot a phishing scam Scammers can send out emails that appear to be from a legitimate company, government department, utility provider, or financial service. They attempt to trick you into clicking on a malicious link in the email then ask you to provide sensitive information such as personal and financial details.This is known as 'phishing'. One common tactic used by scammers is to contact potential victims by email pretending to be from your bank or utility provider asking you to move money to another account, to make a payment or to provide personal or financial information. Tip: Be careful where you click. If you get an email from a company with a strange email address or one that has never emailed you before asking you for money/payment unexpectedly, don’t click on links or download anything. Doing this could infect your computer with a virus. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date to give you more protection. If you’re not sure an email from a company is genuine, head to their website to find ways to contact them from there (using the telephone number or email address provided). If you receive an email which seems too good to be true or is trying to make you take urgent action, stop and think if it could be a scam.Ask someone you trust for a second opinion. 3. Stay safe from people at your door pretending to be someone they’re not Scammers can also approach your house and pretend to be someone they’re not. This could be someone pretending they’re there to do building work on your house but really they want to be let into your home so they can steal from you.

Tip: Remember it's okay to keep the door closed to strangers. ! If you have an unexpected visitor at your door, always ask to see their ID. ! If someone claims to be from a recognised organisation, then don’t be afraid to ask to see proof or check with the organisation itself. ! If possible, call a friend or family member to let them know that someone has come to the house you don’t recognise and discuss why they have called. ! Don’t be afraid to shut the front door while you check they are who they say they are. If visitors are genuine, they will understand. ! Consider putting a ‘no cold callers’ sign on your front door.You may be able to get one from your local council.They are also available online. 4. Protect yourself on the phone Scammers can also call you claiming to be someone they’re not.This is often your

bank or utility provider, to try and get you to tell them your personal details, such as your PIN or password.You should never give personal information to someone you don’t know. It’s important to keep yourself safe and know when you should just end the conversation. Don’t be afraid to hang up if you are unsure. Tip: Contact your provider to ask how they might contact you. ! If you receive a letter, email, text or phone call you’re unsure about, which seems too good to be true, or needs urgent action, ask someone you trust for a second opinion. ! A real bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue asking for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Check your bank or utility provider’s website or call them to see how they will and won’t communicate with you. For example, find out what type of security questions they’ll ask if they phone you. ! Don’t feel pressured to act straight away.Take your time and seek advice if you receive a call asking you to do something you’re not sure about. ! Unwanted sales and marketing calls can be stopped for free by signing up to the Telephone Preference Service. Most junk mail can also be stopped by opting out at the Mailing Preference Service. ! Never let somebody talk you into downloading software, or to log on to your computer or other devices, such as your mobile phone or a tablet, remotely during or after a cold call. Getting support with scams Scammers use clever, high-pressure tactics so you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you have been scammed.There is help available. If you're worried you’ve been scammed or given your details to the wrong people, tell someone close to you, and report it to your bank and the police straight away.Alzheimer’s Society is here to support you. Dementia Connect Support hotline – 0333 150 3456

6 OFGEM SCAM

Crooks cash in on energy crisis CYBER criminals claiming to represent Ofgem are targeting householders offering them fake energy rebates so they can access their bank accounts and steal the contents. Action Fraud is warning customers not to be duped by emails saying they are due a rebate on their energy and council tax bills. The watchdog has been bombarded with more than 750 complaints in just four days about the official looking emails promising hard-up households money off. Households across the UK will be given a £200 'reduction' in their energy bills in October, which is paid back over five years. The Energy Bills Support Scheme will be introduced to assist households with rising energy bills during the cost of living crisis. Households will receive the £200 repayable discount automatically and will not have to apply for it, GOV.UK confirms

But fraudsters are taking the opportunity to exploit the scheme to try and con households into giving away their bank details. The scam asked people to claim before June 1 and to follow a link so the money will be paid into their bank accounts.However it leads to websites designed to steal personal and financial details. Action Fraud said Ofgem or other bonafide organisations would never ask for details over text or email and they are asking anyone who spots the fishy emails to contact them. As of Friday May 20,Action Fraud which is run by the police - said it received 752 reports of fake emails pre-

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tending to be from Ofgem. The emails say the recipient is "eligible to apply for Energy Bill Rebate" and must do so before June 1. Action Fraud says: "The emails state that the recipient is eligible for a rebate as a result of a newly announced government scheme. “The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal your personal and financial information. "Your bank, or any official organisation, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you need to check that it’s a genuine message, contact them directly. "The email tells customers that they are eligible to apply for an energy bill rebate. They must apply June 1. “If they do they will receive a £200 discount on their energy bills this Autumn for domestic electricity customers and a £250 non-repayable Council Tax rebate payment for all households that are liable."

The only nationally available business approval scheme that’s owned, controlled and operated by Trading Standards services. Sǂ ĤćŻ ģĲ īŗȚĤǊŰǂ ǂƇ ŭŻƇǣ ǣŒƇ ǂƇ ǂƮǊƶǂɡ ½Œćǂʒƶ ǣŒǩ ½ƮćīŗŻŋ °ǂćŻīćƮīƶ ĤƮĲćǂĲī Ǌǩ ÝŗǂŒ ƇŻȞīĲŻĤĲɡ FǊŰŰǩ ǂƮćŗŻĲī ½ƮćīŗŻŋ °ǂćŻīćƮīƶ ƫƮƇŊĲƶƶŗƇŻćŰƶ ŗŻīĲƫĲŻīĲŻǂŰǩ ĤŒĲĤŭɢ ǢĲǂ ćŻī ŹƇŻŗǂƇƮ ģǊƶŗŻĲƶƶĲƶɢ ǣŒƇ ǣŗŰŰ ǂƮĲćǂ ǩƇǊ ŊćŗƮŰǩɡ °Ƈɢ ǣŒĲǂŒĲƮ ǩƇǊ ŻĲĲī ć ƫŰǊŹģĲƮɢ ĲŰĲĤǂƮŗĤŗćŻɢ ƮƇƇŊĲƮ ƇƮ ćŻǩǂŒŗŻŋ ĲŰƶĲɢ Ǣŗƶŗǂ ǊǩÝŗǂŒ ƇŻȞīĲŻĤĲɡŋƇǢɡǊŭ ǂƇ ȞŻī ½ƮćīŗŻŋ °ǂćŻīćƮīƶ ƫƫƮƇǢĲī ģǊƶŗŻĲƶƶĲƶ ǩƇǊ ĤćŻ ǂƮǊƶǂɡ

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ROGUE TRADERS WARNING 7

Chelmsford targeted by cowboy tradesmen

Chelmsford was sixth in the league table of dodgy builders CHELMSFORD was ranked sixth in a survey to find areas where residents had fallen victim to rogue traders. The survey saw the newly crowned City of Chelmsford ranked ahead of places like Liverpool and Swindon, but not as bad as Newcastle in number one spot and London in third. Plumbing (20 per cent), closely followed by bathroom installation (18 per cent), painting/decorating (18 per cent) and kitchen fitting (16 per cent) are the most prevalent sectors where consumers are being left with disappointing work. A fifth of the 2,880 homeowners polled have experienced a financial loss due to disappointing work carried out by a rogue trader. And seven in 10 have had to fork out additional money to finish off or fix disappointing work. Financially, respondents from Oxford have been hardest hit - experiencing a loss of £4,990 on average. Researcher Mike Fairman said: “As household finances continue to be stretched, it’s more important than ever to do due diligence before parting with your hard-earned cash when hiring a trade. “As many as a fifth of homeowners are still not reading online reviews before they

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hire a trade leaving them exposed to being targeted by a rogue trade. “And while rogue trades can be found everywhere, my advice is to be wary of high availability, be careful of cheap quotes, beware of being asked for full payment up front, never accept work from trades who doorstep and always source a minimum of three competitive quotes.” When it comes to being quoted for a job, 60 per cent said they do not know how much things are supposed to cost and, as a result, are unaware if they are being ripped off. The study also found 24 per cent of homeowners have booked a trade without sourcing references and 22 per cent have skipped any due diligence or background checks altogether. A further one in four of those polled, via OnePoll, also failed to source multiple quotes prior to work being completed. With the risks being undertaken by homeowners, it has left them exposed to rogue trades with those who experienced disappointing work claiming it has left them feeling stressed. While one in 10 also said the experience negatively impacted their mental health.

Puppies found dead in freezer PUPPIES were 'found dead in a freezer' during an investigation into an £850,000 dog-selling fraud. Four members of the puppy selling gang pleaded guilty to offences in connection with the fraudulent sale of puppies and will be sentenced in August. Stacey Hayward, 41, of Colliford Road, West Thurrock, Steven Foster, 42, also of Colliford Road, Kelly Bennett, 43, and Ricky Bennett, 41, both of Weymouth Drive, Chafford Hundred, all stood trial at Basildon Crown Court where they entered guilty pleas - two to fraud and two to acquiring criminal property. Kelly Bennett also indicated guilty pleas for two offences under the Animal Welfare Act while Ricky Bennett indicated a guilty plea to one animal welfare offence. The RSPCA and local authority launched an investigation into puppy selling in the Essex area after being contacted by members of the public who had bought puppies from addresses in Billericay, Grays and Thurrock. The court was also told that Basildon Council had licensed Stacey Hayward to sell puppies but the licence was revoked in 2018 due to complaints about sick puppies. The RSPCAs Special Operations Unit - a specialist task force started looking into a premises at Crays Hill, Billericay, in 2019.

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8 TRADING STANDARDS ESSEX TRADING STANDARDS CAN HELP YOU AVOID SCAMMERS ESSEX Trading Standards can help you avoid scammers and rogue traders. Don’t be a victim, follow our advice and stay safe at home. ! Choose a ‘Buy With Confidence’ accredited

trader ! Obtain several quotes ! Get a written quote detailing exactly what work will be carried out, how much it will cost and what the terms of payment are. ! Take your time to make sure you’re happy with what you’re undertaking ! Ask what your cancellation rights are? ! Ask a trusted friend/relative for advice ! Ask to see identity

A genuine trader will not: ! Call without an appointment ! Ask you or offer to take you to

the bank to withdraw cash or make a money transfer ! Ask you to pay in full before the work is complete ! Insist that you decide about the work they're offering to do on the spot ! Bully or scare you into doing work Never be pressurised into buying anything or having any work carried out. Rogue traders and doorstep callers may do unnecessary work, or to a poor standard, and the price may rapidly increase. To find a reputable trader approved and vetted by Trading Standards visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk For general help and advice or to report a problem with a trader telephone the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 11

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for useful leaflets to share with your friends and family. Don’t take chances, follow our advice and stay safe.

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CYBER CRIME STATS 9

Cyber crime league table

London has topped the league for the hardest hit by cyber-crimes ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, has conducted a study into the state of cybercrime in the United Kingdom, looking at which areas have seen the highest number of cybercrimes committed as well as the most common cybercrimes committed. The UK has seen a slight decrease of 2.97% in the number of cybercrimes committed in 2021. London was the area that saw the highest number of cybercrimes committed. Areas with the highest rates of cybercrime per 100,000 people London - 5,258 Surrey - 644 Kent - 999 Northamptonshire - 399 Hertfordshire - 607 When looking at total cybercrime reports in 2021, it is no surprise to see London out in front with over 5,000 reports. The capital was followed by the West Midlands (1,242) and Thames Valley (1,142). Cumbria was the area that saw the smallest amount of cybercrimes committed with 174 reported in 2021, it was followed by Cleveland (194) and Dyfed-Powys (213). Looking at the data from the report, we can see clearly that the country’s wealthiest areas of the country are the most heavily targeted for cybercrime.

The top 7 most targeted areas fall within the top 10 wealthiest counties by Gross Value Added per capita, and the 5 of the top 10 most targeted areas rank within the top 10 wealthiest counties by GRP per capita. While this is not unexpected, it shows clearly that the cyber criminals are taking aim at the bigger fish in the pond. Areas with the biggest decrease in cybercrime - Gloucestershire, Northumbria and Wiltshire. There were only three areas in the research that saw an increase in cybercrime reports, Norfolk saw the biggest increase by 19.83%, Nottinghamshire (0.52%) and Northamptonshire (0.25%) followed. Jake Moore, a Cybersecurity Specialist for ESET, commented on the findings:“Knowledge is the key to reducing cybercrime and with this noticeable shift in offences reported year on year, it is starting to suggest that people are becoming more savvy at spotting scams and keeping their wits about them. “Social media and email hacking, however, remains the biggest threat across the country so people need to remember to implement basic security measures to combat hacking with password managers and turning on multi factor authentication for all online accounts.”

Barclays warns online daters THE Chancellor has announced a new £25million ‘fraud squad’ after billions of pounds of taxpayer money was reportedly lost to Covid scammers. Rishi Sunak will launch the new Public Sector Fraud Authority in July. It follows reports that £4.9billion worth of bounce back loans, given out by the Government to help struggling businesses during the pandemic, were squandered or smuggled out of the UK. The Government said the new body will recruit data analytics experts and economic crime investigators to recover money stolen from Covid support schemes and identify suspicious companies.

Fraud could ruin your holidays ACTION Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, is warning the public to remain vigilant against holiday fraud when booking flights or accommodation online. In the last financial year, Action Fraud received 4,244 reports of holiday fraud – a substantial increase of over 120% compared to the previous financial year. Victims lost a total of £7,388,353 – an average loss of £1,868 per victim. Action Fraud is urging the public to think twice before handing over money and personal information.

10 CRIMESTOPPERS NEWS

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CRIMESTOPPERS NEWS 11

Crimestoppers is working with its partners to stamp out sexual harrassment on the railway

Changing attitides to sexual harrassment in public places AT Crimestoppers, we believe everyone has a right to feel safe, whether that’s on your street, in your home, at work or whilst out enjoying leisure time. However, sexual harassment can ruin that safe feeling and the historic attitude to accepting everything from wolf whistling and staring to unwanted touching is finally being challenged. A shocking 71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in public places, according to aYouGov survey in 2021. This probably won’t surprise many of you – indeed, some people may not even realise that they’ve been a victim. Who can be a victim? Sexual harassment in all its forms, whether experienced in person or online, can have serious and lasting effects on its victims. Regardless of your age, gender or sexual orientation, sexual harassment can happen to anyone and it’s neither your

fault nor acceptable. Not all incidents or acts of harassment are technically a crime. However, they’re all unacceptable and need to be called out and stopped. The murder of Londoner Sarah Everard by a then serving police officer shone a light on how, what was often thought of as low-level incidents such as flashing, when left unchecked can escalate. Wayne Cousins’ behaviour was left unchecked. He was a prime example of how some perpetrators move on to more extreme and dangerous types of harassment, abuse and sadly in this case murder. Sexual harassment on the railways It’s not just on our streets and in leisure venues where unwanted sexual attention or harassment happens. Now that commuting is back on the cards, Crimestoppers is proud to be working with, Rail Delivery group, National Rail and British Transport Police to

ensure everyone’s safety as we get back on board. When it comes to crime on the railway and other forms of public transport, it's been identified that sexual harassment is under-reported, which makes it hard for law enforcement to intervene. Do you know someone who upskirts/cat calls/touches/exposes/cyber-flashes/ intentionally presses up to or stares intrusively at other passengers on the train? These are all examples of sexual harassment. Bystanders can help As bystanders, we all have the power to challenge sexual entitlement whenever and wherever it happens by reporting it. You can contact police, or to stay anonymous, tell Crimestoppers. We are here to help and can take your information and pass it on for you. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If sexual harassment or abuse is happening right now, in an emergency, always call 999.

12 TRADING STANDARDS Trading Standards

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A-PLAN INSURANCE ADVICE 13

We all know that thieves will generally take whatever is in the van, including radios and hand drills so this can be difficult to quantify. We have even seen skips stolen from outside sites. LIZ GRIBBIN Builders Talk Group

Get tooled up...with insurance ALL too often we’re hearing that a tradesperson has had either their van or tools – or both – stolen. Search Google and you’re pretty much guaranteed to find a daily story about this crime, whether new national statistics, to another petition calling for Government action. Many of the big players have chimed in. Professional Builder magazine stated that ‘more than £100 million of tools have been stolen in the UK since 2020’, with more than a third of these stolen in London. However,West Yorkshire Police has seen the greatest value of stolen tools, peaking at £50,242,427 during 2020 and 2021. In 2021 Screwfix reported that 66% of tradespeople have had their tools stolen or their van broken into, also highlighting that those 66% lost at least a day’s work. Ring carried out their own research, finding that 63% had their tools stolen at least once, estimating that, that since 2016, over 43,000 vans have been stolen and a further 117,000 have been broken into, costing businesses over £60m. Only half of tradespeople remove tools from a van overnight. We know that this type of crime can cause immense financial and emotional strain on the victim, with some never recovering professionally or personally. We want to help push for change. Tool insurance experts, A-Plan Insur-

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ance, spoke to Builders Talk Group, who provide strength in numbers and a supportive community for the trade. Both A-Plan and Builders Talk Group are pushing for change in how the police and the UK government deal with these types of crimes. A-Plan spoke directly with Liz Gribbin of Builders Talk Group, who has been conducting polls on their Facebook page to feed back to the Home Office as part of some research they are carrying out. The most voted for statement remains ‘Police don’t take the crime seriously enough’, followed closely by ‘Vans are not secure enough from manufacturers’. “We’re working with the Home Office to provide more accurate data“, confirms Liz.“The two-stage Home Office report is currently in ‘part one’ phase, focussing on the types of tools that are stolen. “Unfortunately, we all know that thieves will generally take whatever is in the van, including radios and hand drills so this can be difficult to quantify.We’ve even seen instances of skips being stolen from outside sites. “The second part is looking at how people’s lives are affected; the number of individuals leaving the trade – some even contemplating suicide following tool theft and having nowhere to turn – is unacceptable.” Many MP’s also offer ‘surgeries’ where you are able to pop in to talk

about your concerns, but we recommend calling their office to set up an appointment first to save time waiting. TOOL INSURANCE Another critical factor is to ensure that you have tool insurance. It is worth checking your van insurance policy wording to understand exactly what is, and isn’t, covered.You may find that you are not covered, and need to consider purchasing separate tool cover if you haven’t already. Speak to your broker about the insurers on the market, to make sure that your insurer is proactive in replenishing tools quickly so that you don’t need to lose more sleep, or income while you wait. VAN THEFT AT CRISIS POINT A-Plan Insurance Whether you haven’t yet opted for tool insurance, or purchased new tools you need to include in existing cover, or even upgraded your van, get in touch with your local A-Plan business branch. A-Plan is happy to advise you on all aspects of van and tool insurance, with 60 years’ experience under their belt to point you in the right direction. They also support you in the event of a claim, so that you can focus on your job with fewer interruptions. Work in the trade? Find Builders Talk Group on Facebook! The group is ‘run by builders, for builders’ and offers a range of support.

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14 ESSEX CRIME NEWS CRIME AND COMMUNITY NEWS

Jon Gordon

Paedophile jailed 1 A MAN convicted of more than 40 child sex offences has been jailed for eight years following work by Essex specialist officers. Forty-three year-old Jon Gordon was arrested after officers from the Police Online Investigation Team carried out a warrant at his address in Gershwin Boulevard, Witham in December 2018. It followed information that he had been engaging in sexual communications with someone he believed was a 13 yearold child. He was arrested and 33 items were seized. On five of those, officers found more than 1,200 indecent images and videos of child abuse. They also found a total of 6,500 conversations on Skype with 900 contacts of young people. Among these, officers found evidence he had communicated with boys and girls under the age of 18. Gordon was charged with 45 child sexual offence offences including sexual communications with a child, inciting a child to perform sexual acts, and indecent images of children offences. He admitted the offences at Chelmsford Crown Court in February and, at the same court in April, he was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison.

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Paedophile jailed 2

Nine years for abuser

THE mother of an 11 year old girl targeted by a sexual predator has thanked specialist Essex police officers after her abuser was jailed. Twenty one year-old Harris Proctor was jailed for ten years, six custodial with a further four on licence at Chelmsford Crown Court after admitting a string of offences. Proctor, registered sex offender of Townfield Roa, Chelmsford, had been in contact with an 11 year-old girl and engaged her in sexual conversation including about performing sexual acts. Following the sentencing hearing, the girl’s mother said: “This crime really has affected my daughter and our family. “The impact it has had on her personally and socially has been very difficult to see, I can only hope she starts to recover now she knows he is in prison and she is safe. “The police have been brilliant throughout the investigation and the support we as a family have received has been very good, allowing us to have the confidence to continue to court. “ .

A MAN who used social media to contact a woman he sexually abused as a teenager 10 years earlier is jailed for nine years thanks to work by specialist child abuse detectives. Christopher Curtis, 46, was sentenced to a total of nine years imprisonment for six counts of sexual activity with a child when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court. In July 2018, the woman received a social media message from a man asking her if she wanted to rekindle their friendship and to get in contact. It wasn’t until he explained who he was, that the woman realised it was the same man who had abused her 10 years earlier. Curtis had approached the woman as a teenager via social media in August 2008 and arranged to meet her, saying he was 23. It was during this first meeting that he forced her to engage in sexual activity.

Paedophile jailed 3

A MAN has been jailed after admitting possessing indecent images of children following work by some of our specialist detectives. Lionel Bryan, 43, of Hastings Road, Southend, was jailed for four-and-a-half years at Basildon Crown Court and given a further three-and-a-half years on licence. At an earlier hearing, Bryan admitted possessing indecent images of children and attempting to breach a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on two occasions. As a registered sex offender, Bryan was subjected to regular, proactive visits from our Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team (MOSOVO). The images, totalling more than 800, were discovered on Bryan’s mobile during one of these routine visits of his address on 12 July 2021. Bryan remains on the Register of Sex Offenders.

Shooting duo jailed TWO men have been jailed for a total of more than 16 years for their part in a shooting in Wickford, thanks to dedicated work by detectives in our Serious Organised Crime Unit. Thomas Connors, 24, of Merlin Crescent, Edgware, Middlesex, was jailed for a total of nine years and six months and Thomas Saunders, of Arterial Road, Rayleigh, was jailed for seven years when they appeared for sentencing at Basildon Crown Court. On 9 September 2020, the victim had been woken up at his home in Hovefields Avenue by the sound of shots being fired. He got dressed and went to the door where he had a verbal altercation with Saunders. Following a search of Saunders’ home, a shotgun and a another two guns were recovered from a wooded area nearby. The shotgun had been stolen during a burglary in Layer-de-la-Haye eight months previously. Following inquiries, forensic analysis carried on a car suspected to be involved linked Saunders and Cooper to the incident.

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ESSEX CRIME NEWS 15 CRIME AND COMMUNITY NEWS

Ruined by evil pension thieves A MAN and woman who scammed 245 people out of £13.7m in pension savings have been jailed. Alan Barratt, 62, and Susan Dalton, 66, tricked hundreds of people into transferring their pension savings into 10 schemes, which they controlled. Victims of the scam have been left devastated after losing much of their life savings - and years on the money has still not been recovered. The average loss was £55,000, but some lost much more. Barratt was arrested in Spain and sent back to the UK in 2021 - the first time the Pensions Regulator had extradited a suspect. Both Barratt and Dalton - from Essex and Lancashire - were charged with fraud for abusing their position as trustees of the schemes. Barratt had denied the charged, but in January changed his plea. The pair - who were based in Spain lured people with the promise of unrealistic returns, bonuses and even John Lewis vouchers. Mastermind" David Austin killed himself in 2019 after being invited for a police interview, Southwark Crown Court was told. The trial heard that Dalton made around £126,000 from the scam, and Barratt around £343,000. However, they are said to have passed most of the money to Austin, who used it to fund businesses, pay others involved in the con and enrich himself and his family. A 2018 civil trial ordered the trio to repay millions, but the funds were largely transferred to offshore accounts and have not been recovered. Barratt was sentenced to five years and seven months and Dalton to four years and eight months. Judge Gregory Perrins said the pair had caused "such misery" with victims developing mental health problems and some even attempting suicide.

Above, Pauline Padden - ruined by the evil scammer Susan Dalton and right, Stephen O’Reilly, another victim "Each account that I have read is a story of a life ruined by your actions and you should both be ashamed," he said. One of the victims of the deception, which took place between 2012 and 2014, was critical care nurse Pauline Padden from Merseyside. The 58-year-old was looking after her terminally ill mother when she got a text offering her cash and a better deal on her pension in return for transferring her pot. She hoped it would mean more security in her retirement. However, six months later, she was devastated to get a letter explaining she had been the victim of a scam and had lost £45,000. The mother of three said she's been robbed of the prospect of ever retiring and may be forced to sell her home. "If that money had been properly invested, it would have meant I could retire when I wanted to retire," said Mrs Padden, 58, who has been a critical care nurse for 40 years. "Now that has been completely taken from me. It has gone forever. I'm not

sure I will ever see that money again - I doubt it." Former mineworker Stephen O'Reilly was among their victims. He lost more than £100,000, and now has to work in a bookmakers to pay his bills. "My pension has gone. I am going to have to work for the rest of my life," the 62-year-old said. He answered an advert for a free pension review 10 years ago, in the hope he could release some funds to renovate and sell homes in Spain. "My kids are grown up but I wanted to make some money to leave to them," he told the BBC. The supposed review led to a call from Dalton after which he transferred £114,000 in pension savings. He was given a small commission, which was actually part of his own pension, and told some of the money would be invested in overseas property. He expected to receive a lump sum at the age of 55, and had even ordered a new car in anticipation. The money never arrived.

16 KNIFE AMNESTY

Mum’s plea to solve missing son riddle WHEN Anthony Stammers left home he told his mum her he was going out for a while and was likely to stay overnight at a friend’s house before attending his grandfather’s funeral planned for the next day. That was 10 years ago. Anthony, 27, didn’t get to the funeral and hasn’t been seen at his home in Mile End Road, Colchester, since. The talented musician sent a text message to his mum, Julie, at 11am asking her to make sure his trousers were ready for his grandfather’s funeral the next day. But when he did not arrive at Colchester Crematorium for the service on May 28, his parents reported him missing. Despite widespread searches of the town and appeals for information, Anthony has not been located. In the last decade, Essex Police have followed up potential sightings of Anthony in areas such as Colchester, Staffordshire, Birmingham, Doncaster and London. Unfortunately, none have yielded any significant lines of enquiry. Mum Julie said: “For some reason, I really don’t know why, on that occasion I clocked him head to toe and took in everything that he was wearing. He texted me asking to make sure his trousers were ready for the funeral – and that was the last contact we had.” Enquiries found Anthony had withdrawn money from a nearby petrol station during the morning and that is his last-known bank transaction. To mark the tenth anniversary of Anthoy’s disappearance, the family is completing a series of fundraising events to raise money for the charity, Missing People, from which they have received huge support. Julie added: “There were, and still are, days when you feel like you don’t want to get up, but I remember what Rob has said to me before, that today could be the day we find him. That’s what keeps us going; that and very dear family and friends. “My heart also aches for our other two children so much because it is their brother who is missing, and they were very close before Anthony went missing. “His sister, Cathy, was always like a mini-mother to Anthony and his brother James had grown very close to him too. “For a long time, one of us always had to be in the house because we couldn’t bear the thought of Anthony coming back and no one being here. “You do move on from that and you put other things in place to make sure nothing is missed when you are out.” You can call us on 101 or contact missing people charity. Please quote reference 12-001452 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.

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Knife amnesty... A KNIFE amnesty was launched across Essex last month alongside the rollout of new branding on knife bins placed at 14 sites across the county. Essex Police has now taken over responsibility for the bins, which are funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), the Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) and Essex Police. As part of that move, a new bin has been installed at Grays police station while each container has now been rebranded using artwork from three secondary school pupils; one from in Essex, Southend and Thurrock, who won a competition to design new livery. In Thurrock, the work of Rachida, 12, from the Hathaway Academy, Thurrock, has been printed on the container whilst in Southend, Dexter 11, of Eastwood Academy, will appear. In Essex, the work of Bethany 13, of the Cornelius Vermuyden School, can be seen. Essex Police have also partnered with the Ben Kinsella Trust, an educational charity set up following the tragic murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella in 2008. The organisation campaigns against knife crime and works with more than 4,000 young people each year in order to prevent them from straying into crime. The competition winners have also won a trip to the Trust's “Choices and Consequences” workshop, funded by the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit, which will highlight the dangers of knife crime and help the children learn about Ben’s life. The amnesty allows for anyone who wants to dispose of bladed weapons to do so safely and without fear of prosecution. continued on page 17

The new look knife bins

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KNIFE AMNESTY 17

...is rolled out at 14 sites across Essex Teaching young people that you don’t need to carry a life and telling their friends not to carry a knife is a positive life choice. ROGER HIRST, Police Commissioner

Bin-it and save someone’s life from page 16 The priority is for as many knives as possible to be taken off the streets of Essex. These bins are, of course, just one element of the wider approaches to tackling knife crime. “We put significant effort into tackling knife crime including ‘hotspot’ policing, intelligence gathering, using knife arches, and utilising additional powers such as dispersal orders and Section 60 powers, which are an extension of the stop-and-search activity which takes place every day,” said temporary detective Chief Inspector Clayton Ford, of the Prepare, Prevent and Protect Team, Serious Violence Unit.

Police carry out regular patrols in the County

“Thankfully, knife enabled crime is falling across Essex; in the year 2019/2020 – the best year with which to compare given the impact of covid – there were 1,881 offences recorded. In 2021/2022, 1,629 offences were recoded – a drop of 13%. “But we aren’t resting on our laurels. Knife crime and violence is not an issue the police can tackle alone, and we work with partners to address it. “In Essex, we are incredibly lucky to have so many partners, such as the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit, who believe the same as we do – that the response to knife crime requires a multi-agency approach by working with education, health, local authorities, local organisations and probation services. “A key focus is to help divert people who are involved in, or at risk of being involved in, knife and violent crime away from this lifestyle and into areas as sports, education, volunteering, rehabilitation. “This is a battle that we as a community must fight together. That includes educating our children about the reality of being involved in gangs and the reality that carrying a knife will not protect them but put them at more risk of being hurt or hurting someone else.” Police and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, added: “We know that knife bins do a great job in taking thousands of knives off our Essex streets each year, but what is equally important is the role of education and information. “Teaching our young people why you don’t need to carry a knife, why they should tell their friends not to carry a knife and why being knife free is the positive life choice to take. “That’s why I’m delighted to be unveiling the new knife bins in Essex, the bins that young people themselves have designed. Young people who, like me, want their County to be a safe place to play, study, work and grow up in.”

18 SANTANDER WARNING Fraudsters are clever and manipulative. If anyone claims to be from your bank, HMRC or any trusted organisation, even the police, and calls to tell you to move your money, stop.

Be alert to the online fraudsters SANTANDER is writing to all its customers to make sure they do not fall for scams and frauds at a time when fraudsters are looking for vulnerable and gullible victim. The bank is asking: If you received a call from someone you'd never spoken to before, telling you to transfer the entire contents of your account to them straightaway, you probably wouldn't do it. And you'd almost certainly hang up. But what if you receive a text message about a current event, for example, COVID-19? It warns you that you’ve been in close contact with someone who has been isolating and includes a link to order a free test kit.What if you click on the link, put in your details to order one and add your card details to pay a small delivery fee? In a couple of almost unnoticeable steps, you would have become a victim of fraud. Criminals would have your card details and personal information to use again or sell. Other examples could be text messages supposedly from Royal Mail, a parcel delivery company or any trusted organisation, encouraging you to click a link. Once they've got your details, fraudsters can go a step further and sometime later you might receive a call from someone claiming to be your bank. 1. They tell you, you've been a victim of

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fraud, and you need to move your money out of your account quickly before it's stolen. 2. They seem convincing because they already know some of your information. That's the information you shared when you clicked the link in the text message. 3. You’re scared, stressed, and confused about the situation but pressured to act quickly. 4. What if, acting in fear, you transferred your money to new account details? The account wasn't in your name, but the fraudsters, posing as your bank, gave you convincing reasons to do so. You would now have become a victim of impersonation fraud. Fraudsters are clever and manipulative. If anyone claims to be from your bank, HMRC or any trusted organisation, even the police, and calls to tell you to move your money, stop. End the call straight away and call your bank using the number on the back of your card. While fraud and scams are not new, advances in technology give criminals more ways to attempt to access your money. Knowing the techniques they use can help you protect yourself and your money. Tips for spotting fraud and scams ! Always think carefully before making a payment, especially if it’s a lot of money for you. Speak to someone you trust

first, like a friend or family member, before making payments. ! Pay extra attention to the warnings we provide when making a payment. They’re in place to help you bank safely and avoid being scammed. ! Anyone can be easily impersonated, and criminals can make the caller ID, email address or name look exactly like the genuine caller. So, if you receive an email, text or call, verify it’s genuine by phoning them back on a known and trusted number. ! When making a payment, always take the time to complete extra checks to make sure the payee and the payment is genuine.This includes reading reviews, researching companies or websites, and verifying the person or company are who they say they are. ! Don’t allow anyone to access your computer or devices remotely.This is because criminals can ask you to click on a link or download an app. Remember, your bank, the police or any trusted organisation will never ask you to withdraw, transfer or send back money from your account. If you’re asked to do this, it’s a scam. If you're concerned or think you've responded to a scam email or text or given your details out to the wrong people, you should contact your bank first on 0800 9 123 123 and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

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BOOM IN FAKES 19

We see fakes booming when the economy does badly. The cheap lira has made exporting counterfeits even more profitable. ZEYNEP SEDA ALHAS Gun & Partners

Turkey’s fake empire booms THE value of Turkey’s fake goods tripled from 2019 to 2020 as it became main source of counterfeit designer clothes stopped at EU borders Photos of fake Gucci bags, Louis Vuitton sweatpants and Nike sneakers are flaunted on the social media accounts of a Turkish store with more than 155,000 followers on TikTok. Turkey is the third biggest exporter of counterfeit products to the EU after China and Hong Kong, according to data on the value of goods seized. Falls in the value of the Turkish lira and the deterioration of the Turkish economy are further fuelling demand as such items become cheaper to traders buying in euros. A December 2021 report published by the EU’s intellectual property office (EUIPO) also points to the trend. The value of counterfeits from Turkey more than tripled from 2019 to 2020, reaching nearly €134m (£111m), and Turkey became the main source of fake designer clothing and medicine stopped at EU borders, surpassing China in these categories. “We see fakes booming when the economy does badly,” said Zeynep Seda Alhas, who specialises in intellectual property rights at Gün + Partners, a law

firm in Istanbul representing some of the world’s most famous brands.“The cheap lira has made exporting counterfeits even more profitable.” She said the number of court-approved raids by the firm on counterfeit producers doubled in 2021 and the number of items it seized almost tripled. In January, it conducted what Alhas called “the biggest raid in Turkey’s history”, confiscating more than 350,000 pairs of fake designer trainers in three Istanbul workshops, some half-finished and all destined to be eventually sent abroad. “Profits are much higher in counterfeit goods,” Alhas said, explaining that even factories that produce legally for big brands could “turn bad” during times of economic trouble, working extra shifts to produce fakes. Turkey’s legal exports have also surged during the currency crisis, increasing 33% over the year and reaching $225bn (£171bn), according to the government-run Turkish Statistical Institute. Lost sales cost the EU €83bn a year, according to EUIPO and !zmen says working conditions at underground production facilities are less likely to

comply with laws on wages, child labour and health and safety. Law firms such as Alhas’s usually hear about big shipments caught by customs officers – mostly in Germany,Austria and the Netherlands – and then try to find the production site in Turkey. The website of neighbouring Bulgaria’s customs authority is packed with reports of vehicles from Turkey caught with counterfeit goods. In February 2021, hundreds of bottles of counterfeit perfume were found tucked under a passenger seat in a bus, apparently hidden by the driver. But much gets through.A producer of fake Dsquared2 jeans said there were freight companies in Istanbul that focused on counterfeit exports, filling trucks with fakes surrounded by originals. “They charge extra to transport fakes, they know people at customs,” he said.“They have built a spider web of networks all over the border.” A 2020 report by Europol said a criminal group regularly transported large quantities of fake designer clothes from Istanbul to Greece with the help of three customs officers recruited to “facilitate” their activity for years before getting caught.

20 CRYPTOCURRENCY MENACE

Banks, companies and Government institutions should work with the central bank to fight scams. People who commit ranson attacks usually ask to be paid in crypto. ANDREW BAILEY Bank of England governor

Cryptocurrency now first choice for criminals BANK of England Governor Andrew Bailey says cryptocurrencies are the top of the list for criminal scams regulators are fighting back against. Bailey was speaking at a “Stop Scams” conference organized by the central bank, and he said the technology making up crypto is contributing to innovation for finances, but also has become a new gateway for criminal activity. One of Bailey’s complaints is that some users of crypto act like national rules don’t apply to them. “Some crypto enthusiasts say they shouldn’t be covered by Russian sanctions because that’s not their world,” he said.“I’m sorry, it is your world.We’re all in the same world. “You only have to ask the question: What do people committing ransom attacks usually demand payment in? The answer is crypto.” In addition, he called for banks, companies and government institutions to work with the central bank to fight scams. London’s Financial Conduct Authority lextended a deadline for its approval of crypto operations, which gave around 12 companies more time to apply. The FCA’s rules require crypto companies have to meet stringent anti-

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money-laundering rules. Thirty-three companies have now been approved for FCA permanent registration, letting them keep providing crypto services from within the United Kingdom. But the crypto industry has been warning of companies possibly moving their operations if they can’t get FCA approval. PYMNTS wrote that the U.K.’s FCA had a busy year last year, with crypto scams rising.The report notes that around 3,000 of the almost 16,400 possible scam reports between April and September last year had to do with crypto. The most-reported type of scam involved bad actors trying to push their targeted consumers to buy overpriced or fake shares or bonds over the phone. But crypto scams were the second-

most-popular type reported, hitting the peak in June. Reports of crypto scams were up 14% from the six months before March 2021. Digital currencies like bitcoin, ether and even dogecoin have been on a tear this year, reminding some investors of the 2017 crypto bubble in which bitcoin blasted toward $20,000, only to sink as low as $3,122 a year later. Bailey’s comments echoed a similar warning from the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority. “Investing in cryptoassets, or investments and lending linked to them, generally involves taking very high risks with investors’ money,” the financial services watchdog said in January. “If consumers invest in these types of product, they should be prepared to lose all their money.” Action Fraud said it received 9,458 reports referring to cryptocurrency in 2021, with total losses of £204.5 million, or £21,620 per report. Many scams originate online via phishing emails or rogue adverts on search engines and social media, directing you to fake investment comparison websites or websites cloning regulated firms.

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Essex Community Watch June 2022

Articles inside

Fraud epidemic is worrying

Stay alert to the loan sharks

Cowboy builders cashing in