Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Seaford Road scammer?
I finished work late last night and was just chilling out watching the snooker, suddenly I hear the doorbell ring. It was late, about 00.30 so I put the chain on, answered the door and a woman was there, looking quite upset and she told me she was a neighbour from "round the corner, three doors down". Hmmm ok, I don't reaaally know that many people round the corner but was pretty sure I would recognise her if she did live so close to me. Anyway to cut a long story short, she told me that she didn't have any money for a taxi that was going to take her to or from work (I can't remember which, it was quite a long winded story as to why she didn't have any money) and could I lend it to her. She was visibly upset and embarrassed to be asking me for it, and promised she would return it through the letter box after her shift in the morning. I handed over £19 and told her not to worry, I trusted her to return it...suffice to say it's now the afternoon and the money hasn't materialised, so I thought I would just warn everyone out there in case she tries it again with someone else. I like to think that I'm usually pretty cautious and a good judge of character but she completely caught me off guard by knocking so late at night and looking so upset that I just handed it over! Lesson learned. Also should I alert the local police?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kris G on
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Sorry to hear this but sounds familiar... a few stories have already been reported on here and we received a knock just before Xmas (we live on Hornsey Park Road, just north of the Ladder). That said, I asked her to show me which house she lived at etc at which point she left!
Not sure there is anything the police can do to be honest - it's not illegal (at least I don't think so) what she did and you willingly handed over the money. A shame as these people are praying on the good neighbourly spirit!
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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it's not illegal (at least I don't think so) what she did and you willingly handed over the money.
Is this not fraud, deception, or obtaining money under false pretences?
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Permalink Reply by Cris Cristo on
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Sounds like it's the same person that knocked on my door 2 years ago,
Mrs Williams Returns - Scam artist asking to borrow money for a cab...
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Wow, how is she still at it?! I did laugh when I read that link as her "husband" is still called Steve!
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Permalink Reply by Michelle on
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Yep, we had the same just before Christmas. She was in tears having found her boyfriend having an affair with another woman and she had no money to get home by train. She was fairly well dressed and well spoken and whilst I didnt believe her, it was raining so being neighbourlyand being close to Christmas, I handed over £5 and sent her on her way.
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Unfortunately this scam (or variations on the theme) have been doing the rounds for quite a while. Our first experience of this sort of thing was about 15 years ago.
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Permalink Reply by pamish on
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I've been caught by a variation on this. What disarms you is the 'neighbour' bit. (They never are your neighbour.) We like to think we will help out if it's someone we should know but being city high turnover etc we dont recognise them.... So the second one who tried it, being from Number 1 up the road and needing money for the electricity cos of the baby, I said, OK lets go and sort this out at Number 1. And she gave up, and apologised.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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You can inform the police on 101, they are interested in this kind of scammer.
If it's any consolation, this scam is pretty much a 'heritage crime', noted back to Elizabethan times and probably before when the "I need some money for [insert catastrophe]..." brigade were known as 'whipjacks' and often pretended to be shipwrecked sailors or old soldiers. The stories change but the goodwill they prey upon is just good old-fashioned human concern for someone who appears to be in trouble. Don't feel too bad about being caught out.
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Sorry to hear I'm not the only one sucked in by her! I will definitely be reporting her to 101 as it sounds as if she's been doing this for a long time. I'm almost tempted to distribute leaflets down my road warning people, being part of the neighbourhood watch and all... She was very bold knocking so late at night (my husband tells me it was actually 1.30am!) but that's probably one of her tactics!
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Permalink Reply by Emma on
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Be good to distribute leaflets as next time she may get someone very vulnerable (a senior citizen or someone who invites her in)
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I also got scammed! About 10 years ago outside sevens sisters station- prob the same lady!!! She was charming!
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