Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Beware of scam on Green Lanes/ Manor House tube
My flat mate was just approached by a black man, in his forties, about 5' 11'' at Manor House tube looking for change for £2 coin for a parking meter. My flatmate handed over the 2 £1 coins and the man didn't hand over the £2 coin saying he was in a bad way.
We reported it to St Ann's Police station who I believe are going to inform the police in that area.
We reported it to St Ann's Police station who I believe are going to inform the police in that area.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by TTTH on
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Yes lots of this type of crime happens around transport hubs. Once you come out of the tube it's easy to get disorientated. Thought it was best to post to make the community aware. We all have to become street savvy sooner or later in this city, but I wouldn't live anywhere else :-)
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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The most convincing scam I've ever come across was a few weeks ago when me and my partner were walking towards Moorgate. A very agitated bloke came towards us and said he needed to get a cab to the Homerton Hospital urgently as he'd badly hurt himself. He pulled up his sleeve and had a terrible deep wound in his forearm. I started digging around for money and a security guard came over from a nearby office builing and told the bloke to clear off. He told us he bloke was always pulling the scam and the "wound" was made with theatrical make up - damn convincing too!
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Drug addicts think of very creative and very desperate ways to get money. I remember a well dressed woman with a child in a buggy who used to beg on Crouch End broadway every evening a few years back. They can be quite crafty in exploiting people's sensitivity.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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Thanks for posting Colin. A deeply cynical scam exploiting our natural instinct to help someone out – especially if it doesn't cost anything. The upshot of this scam, if it were to become widespread, is that all of us might become more reluctant to help each other in these circumstances, fearing being ripped off.
Once in Kiev, I was subjected (initally in Russian, then English) to the wallet-just-found-on-the-pavement scam. A big bloke walking in front of me suddenly stooped down and picked up a wallet off the wide pavement, stuffed full of hundred dollar bills. He immediately wanted to share half of it with me (?!).
I suggested he contact the police to return it to the owner, I walked away, round a corner. Shortly, he came up to me again still wanting to share half and making me even more suspicious. Moments later another, equally burly man came, agitated, saying he'd lost his wallet. Fortunately I had not 'shared' any of the cash. I strode off and heard no shouting or argument behind me, as one might have expected.
The second man is a partner in the con. You return the shared cash and then he complains it hasn't all been returned. What could you do? Some who are caught up in this way are then prepared to hand over a watch, camera, jewellery or any other valuable to get them to go away – the whole point of the scam.
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Permalink Reply by james walsh on
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Question: Whats the difference, robbing a bank or starting a bank ?
You don't have to be a drug addict to be dishonest.
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I think this level of "petty" crime is associated generally with drug addiction. It's desperation in a given moment on the way to get the next hit. However Clive's experience is more like "starting a bank"
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Permalink Reply by Paul Barnard on
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He's still doing the rounds. He walks from bus stop to bus stop trying it on with as many people as possible.
I've made the Met and BTP aware of his actions.
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Permalink Reply by British Transport Police on
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I am PC1576 Matthew Shepherd, based at Finsbury Park British Transport Police station. I am part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team responsible for the Piccadilly Line stations between Caledonian Road and Manor House.
We are aware of the actions of this particular individual, who does indeed appear to be 'exploiting our natural instinct to help someone out'. We have been carrying out uniformed patrols at Manor House to try to identify and deter this man but without success to date. We are working with Underground staff to try to identify a pattern of behaviour. We are also working with the Met to see if they are aware of similar instances around the area.
We would be very grateful if any sightings of this man inside Manor House station could be reported initially to Underground staff at the time. If he does take money from you without your permission, please ring BTP immediately on 0800 405040.
For more information on the BTP and the work we are doing in your neighbourhood, please visit http://www.btp.police.uk/neighbourhood_policing/london_underground_...
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On Friday, January 22nd at 1715hrs, Police investigating thefts from members of the public at Manor House tube arrested a man outside the station. The man was arrested on two counts of theft and one of causing harassment, alarm or distress. He was bailed pending further enquiries.
If you see this man at Manor House tube, please notify staff as soon as possible.
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On March 19th, Police charged a man in relation to offences at Manor House Tube; the man was cahrged with Begging and is appearing in court in early April.
I hope this prevents further instances; however if you do see him committing any offences inside the station, please notify staff or call BTP on 0800 405040.
Many thanks
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