Warning for public to be vigilant after scams in Gloucester and Cheltenham

Police are urging the public to be vigilant after scams in Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Groups of people, described as Eastern European, have been approaching members of the public on the street asking if they want to buy iPhones and iPads at a low price. The victims are then shown the products and receipts to prove their legitimacy.

One incident happened on Eastgate Street in Gloucester on Thursday 3 November between 11.25am and 11.50am. The victim, a man in his 50s, gave the scammer £280 for the goods but he was handed a bag full of rubbish instead before the offender ran off.

Another victim was targeted on the Promenade in Cheltenham between 2pm and 2.20pm on the same day. A man in his 20s paid £550 before realising he had been given a bag not containing the goods.

The offenders, who were men, made off in a green Renault Megane on both occasions.

If you are approached by somebody on the street selling items suspiciously, we advise that you do not hand over any money to them, even if the product seems legitimate. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Anyone with information on these scams should call police on 101 quoting incidents 287 and 325 of 3 November.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk