Fraudster Warning from Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police is warning motorists to be aware of a fraud taking place in their area, which served as a warning to all of us, wherever we are, to be aware of our surroundings and conscious of potential fraudulent activity that might be taking place.

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Thames Valley Police is warning motorists to be aware of a fraud offence in which offenders stop motorists with the aim of obtaining money.

A total of 26 incidents were reported to police over five days on motorways in the Force area.

In each of the incidents motorists were indicated to stop by people waving or trying to flag them down who subsequently requested money.

Insp Colin Clark, from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, said: “In some of these cases the men stopping motorists were well-dressed and wearing suits. Some stated that a relative had died or that they had run out of petrol and needed money.

“In many cases gold-coloured rings were offered by the offenders as a surety but these transpired to not actually be gold and to be practically worthless.

“The offenders were often parked in areas which put themselves and other road users at risk.

“Thames Valley Police takes all reports seriously and takes appropriate action against anyone found to be offending.”

*Seven reports of incidents taking place were received on 31 January – two on the M25/M4 junction, one at M4 J7, three on the M40 at J5 and J6 and J10 and one on the A329M at Woodley.

*Five incidents were reported on 1 February – two took place on the M25/M4 junction, one at the M40/M25 junction, one on the M25 J16 to 15, and a further one on the M4 at J7.

*Two incidents were reported on 2 February – one on the M4/M25 junction and a further one on the M4 J5.

*Five incidents were reported on 3 February – two on the M4, one between J6 to J7 and another between J7 to J8/9, two on the M40, one at the junction of the M40 and M25 and at J5, and another incident on the M25 J15 to J16.

*Seven incidents were reported on 4 February – five on the M4 at J4B to J5, at J5, at J12 and J13 and two one the junction where the M40 meets the M25.

If you have any information about these incidents or similar incidents please call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers (opens new window) anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

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