Cold call fraudster subjects Kirkby woman to sex insult ordeal

The woman in her 50s who did not want to be named has warned people to beware after the man contacted her home telephone last week.

She told Chad: “The man with a foreign accent phoned up and said I had a Government grant for £8,000 due to me

“I thought this is interesting..

“He went through his spiel and asked me if I wanted the money in cash, cheque or paid into a bank account.”

The cold caller had picked on the wrong lady as the woman had experience of frauds through her previous career in banking.

She added: “Knowing how these things work, I said send me a cheque. He said he couldn’t and it would have to be an online payment.

“He said ring this number and it could be authorised.

“I said I wasn’t going to because I know they usually ask for an administration fee as part of the fraud.

“Then I said to him ‘What’s the weather like in Lagos?’

“He started swearing at me in a sexual manner. It got worse and worse and I just said ‘really , really’ - I didn’t want him to think he had got the upper hand.

“I said I would report it and put the phone down.”

She added; “He was being sexually descriptive and I can handle that. But if I had been an old lady or a young mother I could have found it very offensive.”

“Sometimes they try to hit an area I want to give people a warning about how this can progress if they are challenged.”

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Inspector Neil Williams said: “We are aware of this type of scam call and it’s happening all over the country.

“Any legitimate caller, from your bank or other organisation, will never ask you for money up front, your password in full or for any of your bank account details. If you are asked for any of this information, put the phone down.

“If you are told by the caller to hang up and dial a number, don’t. If they say they will put you through to your bank, tell them no and that you will contact the bank yourself. If you are worried and want to speak with your bank after the call, wait at least five minutes before you call. This is because the scam caller will sometimes leave the line open.

“If you are in any doubt at all about the person who is calling simply put the phone down.”

You can report scams to www.actionfraud.police.uk/