Elderly man conned into paying £2,000 for fish fillets
An elderly man was conned into paying £2,000 for 20 fillets of fish.
Police are appealing for information to trace two men who targeted the man in his home on School Lane, Kirk Ella yesterday tea-time (Wednesday).
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One of the men knocked on the man's door, telling him his colleague would be back to sell him some fish.
A short time later the other man arrived at the house and was let inside by the elderly resident, who in return for a brown coloured basket containing around 20 fillets of fish, handed the suspect £2000. Part of this was paid by cash and some paid by cheque.
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The fish itself was only valued at £100.
The man left the house and drove away in a white coloured van with black coloured writing on the side.
One of the men is described as a white male, aged in his mid 40s and around 6ft tall of a medium build and clean shaven.
He had short hair and was wearing a white coloured button up coat and blue rubber gloves.
The other man is described as being in his mid 60s, of a slim build with short hair. He was also wearing a white coloured coat.
Both men told the elderly resident they were from the Newcastle area, although this information has not been confirmed.
Police conducted local house-to-house enquiries and it is believed the men may have approached other houses in the area.
Anyone who saw the men or who may have been approached should contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number 1960228.
13 Comments
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by FC_Mercenary
Sunday, March 03 2013, 10:36AM
“When u find them, send em over to me!!!! Please.....”
by ArthurHunt
Saturday, March 02 2013, 11:04AM
“Anyway I have a policy which we all ought to stick to - never ever buy anything from anyone who calls at your door or rings you on the phone. Both sales techniques use bullying and harassment - craftily disguised in a well rehearsed script.
Anyone who calls at my door or rings me at home gets - a short phrase - the last word is 'off'.”
by ArthurHunt
Saturday, March 02 2013, 11:00AM
“Ooh look a description of the men - is it because they are white?”
by susieb10
Friday, March 01 2013, 11:21AM
“Surely the police could easily trace who has cashed the cheques, simple as. Or can't they be bothered. Why even report this as a story, when it is obvious that it can easily be traced. Are the police totally dumb or something? I of course feel sorry for the elderly people taken in by this scam, but who in their right senses would hand over thousands for fish. LOL”
by Sensational
Thursday, February 28 2013, 11:24PM
“Ha, I got two red flags (pffffffft) but I got a great reply off y'self so I'm happy. And I hope the despics get slapped hard.”
by TheMarketX
Thursday, February 28 2013, 6:58PM
“There is. A pic of the van, two guys and a reg number as I saw them conning my neighbours who live in sheltered accom. The fish wasn't very nice at all. Passed on to the police.”
by Sensational
Thursday, February 28 2013, 6:07PM
“The MarketX, did it taste like proper fish? Sorry. I hate the fact that these people get away with this sort of thing. Perch them I mean birch them. Don't suppose there's a good pic of the number plate or the culprits on that roll of film is there?”
by TheMarketX
Thursday, February 28 2013, 5:52PM
“Just rang the police, they tried this with me in July 2012. I told him to sod off and he put his foot in the door. Luckily, as they drove off I took photos. I even rang trading standards who weren't interested. My elderly neighbours were handing out cheques and cash left right and centre!”
by glen1954
Thursday, February 28 2013, 4:25PM
“We had some guys knocking on our door trying to sell fish last week... looked like a dodgey pair of ***ts. Never buy from doorknockers every one of them are looking for victims no matter what it is they say they are selling.”
by allwaysred1
Thursday, February 28 2013, 1:50PM
“Police are trawling the area.And said there is some thing fishy about this case,Cod knows who could do such a thing.And if any one else is approached tell them to sling their HOOK....”