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Thread: Elderly Woman Conned into Buying Watches

  1. #1
    Master adzman808's Avatar
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    Elderly Woman Conned into Buying Watches

    Woman, 90, conned over £50k watches

    A 90-year-old woman was conned into buying two watches worth nearly £50,000 in London by a man claiming to be a police officer.

    Read more:


    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...herts-29829545

  2. #2
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    God its truly sickening when the elderly are conned like this

  3. #3
    Master adzman808's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wls1971 View Post
    God its truly sickening when the elderly are conned like this
    totally.

    This sparsely reported story leaves me with a few questions.

    How for one, and would Selfridges not have had their suspicions aroused by the nature of the sale?

    And it seems an odd split of cost between the 2 watches... 80/20

    How was this poor woman targeted, and identified? How would they know she even possessed the funds to make such an acquisition?

  4. #4
    Master Thewatchbloke's Avatar
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    I can't imagine how totally lacking in any moral compass the perpetrators of a con like this must be. Lets hope they're swiftly caught and receive appropriate sentencing.

  5. #5
    People like this sicken me. I wonder if there is any comeback against a credit card company. If they were cash purchases then surely Selfridges have a duty under money laundering regs to investigate the source of funds before completing the transaction. If all else fails then it would be nice to see Selfridges issue a refund as a goodwill gesture.

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    Ninety years on the planet and not an iota of common sense? Surprised natural selection didnt get her ages ago.

  7. #7
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    I thought this was going to be a post about Franklin Mint, you wouldn't believe how much crap my mother bought from them when dementia set in. One year she gave all the family a very tasteful (not) Michael Jackson plate at about £30 a pop and the house was littered with tacky "crystal" ornaments.

    Eddie
    Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

  8. #8
    I thought this was going to be a post about......oh no I daren't...

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Josh B View Post
    Ninety years on the planet and not an iota of common sense? Surprised natural selection didnt get her ages ago.
    Lovely.

    Well, we can only keep our fingers crossed that "natural selection" is merciful enough to "get" you WAY before your "common sense" even starts to deteriorate with age...
    Last edited by Umbongo; 30th October 2014 at 19:57.

  10. #10
    Master adzman808's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    I thought this was going to be a post about Franklin Mint, you wouldn't believe how much crap my mother bought from them when dementia set in. One year she gave all the family a very tasteful (not) Michael Jackson plate at about £30 a pop and the house was littered with tacky "crystal" ornaments.

    Eddie
    I'm sure the QVC channel used to feature the line "remember, you can't take it with you"

    But aparently you can exchange it for a load of gaudy tat that you can leave behind

  11. #11
    Master drhexagon's Avatar
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    why in the world would selfridges not question the transaction in the first place? something else seems incredibly off about this whole thing.

  12. #12
    Master RJM25R's Avatar
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    Read elsewhere that they are suspected to be RELATED to the victim (who was of Asian appearance)

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by drhexagon View Post
    why in the world would selfridges not question the transaction in the first place? something else seems incredibly off about this whole thing.
    It's a difficult one.

    A few times, I've been in the position of selling something to somebody, and I have serious doubts about their ability to make an informed decision for themselves.

    I've always referred to somebody more senior, and been told we can't really refuse to sell them something because we suspect they're too old, or not smart enough to make decisions for themselves. That could potentially get you into all sorts of trouble.

    When I worked in retail, I got shouted at once by the brother of a regular customer who used to come in and buy bits and pieces for his bike. His brother said we should have known he was disabled, and it was wrong of us to take his money. I told him the bloke was perfectly capable of making his own mind up about what he wanted, and even if he wasn't, we couldn't very well refuse to serve somebody because they're disabled.

    On the other hand, in my current job, I often speak to very very old people, who're not really capable of having a conversation with me on the phone, but have just been sold a brand new car by one of our dealerships, and I do wonder how comfortable I'd have felt if I'd been in the room when they were being sold the car.

    I think if I'd been working in selfridges, and the lady had come in and asked to buy a watch, as long as she was even reasonably with it, she'd have left with one.

  14. #14
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    Sickening that people go out do intentionally do this. As others have said, I can't believe they were so 'lucky' to target someone with that kind of money. A relation sounds plausible.

  15. #15
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    It happens all too often, my wife who works for FedEx, regularly has to explain to people who have been expecting goods that they have been conned, some people get done multiple times, there was one elderly bloke who was expecting cash from the Canadian lottery, he repeatedly sent them money to release the cash, even when it was explained to him by the Police and my wife what was happening he sent more cash at least twice more, about 80k in total.....Greedy or stupid, I dont know which it was....

  16. #16
    Surely if it was a relation then the story about believing them to be police officers has to be called into question. Maybe all are involved and the plan all along is that the elderly relative gets a refund.

  17. #17
    Master Martin123's Avatar
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    A relative recently got stung by a couple of con men. Firstly posing as a builder, lost £600 for work she paid up front for. Reported to police. They then came back posing as the police, said she should hand over another £600 to the builder who they then would catch in the the act of taking the money.
    People prey on the elderly because they are often confused, vulnerable and are more trusting especially to people in authority. In our case it looks like they have been caught and have a history of doing similar around the country. However I bet half of these crimes don't even get reported.
    Last edited by Martin123; 31st October 2014 at 11:49.

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    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    It happens all too often, my wife who works for FedEx, regularly has to explain to people who have been expecting goods that they have been conned, some people get done multiple times, there was one elderly bloke who was expecting cash from the Canadian lottery, he repeatedly sent them money to release the cash, even when it was explained to him by the Police and my wife what was happening he sent more cash at least twice more, about 80k in total.....Greedy or stupid, I dont know which it was....
    Quote Originally Posted by Martin123 View Post
    A relative recently got stung by a couple of con men. Firstly posing as a builder, lost £600 for work she paid up front for. Reported to police. They then came back posing as the police, said she should hand over another £600 to the builder who they then would catch in the the act of taking the money.
    People prey on the elderly because they are often confused, vulnerable and are more trusting especially to people in authority. In our case it looks like they have been caught and have a history of doing similar around the country. However I bet half of these crimes don't even get reported.
    Jesus! Can't believe these kinds of things happen so often!

  19. #19
    Most people over 70 should be classed as having "diminished responsibility" and be chaperoned in the financial decisions they make. Clearly there are variations in the aging process, but news items of old people being duped are more and more common; it's time that society recognized the problem.

    Charities often seem to target the elderly who are seen as easy pickings by sales people. The marketing companies buy and sell "mug lists" which are mostly elderly folks.

    Warning.. if your elderly mother lives alone, have a look at her checkbook stubs when you get a chance, it may be enlightening.

  20. #20
    Master Cirrus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    It happens all too often, my wife who works for FedEx, regularly has to explain to people who have been expecting goods that they have been conned, some people get done multiple times, there was one elderly bloke who was expecting cash from the Canadian lottery, he repeatedly sent them money to release the cash, even when it was explained to him by the Police and my wife what was happening he sent more cash at least twice more, about 80k in total.....Greedy or stupid, I dont know which it was....
    The second time it happened it should have been clear to the family / police / social services that he was incapable of managing his own finances and he should have been relieved of the burden.

  21. #21
    Master Martin123's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cirrus View Post
    The second time it happened it should have been clear to the family / police / social services that he was incapable of managing his own finances and he should have been relieved of the burden.
    From experience getting that decision under the Mental Capacity Act is not always simple. If the person shows insight but makes unwise decisions little can be done.

  22. #22
    Master Possu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cirrus View Post
    The second time it happened it should have been clear to the family / police / social services that he was incapable of managing his own finances and he should have been relieved of the burden.
    The stupidity of people has no limits. Most people tend to associate with more or less peers all trough school, work and free time. For me my conscript military service was a real eyeopener. There one could see an almost comprehensive cross section of the males in the entire age group. The number of people too stupid to dress themselves, to tie their own shoelaces or to form a coherent sentece is just mindblowing. And to know that some people are too stupid to pass the screening process...

    I think having a guardian for everyone stupid enough to fall for these Nigerian letters would be impossible.

  23. #23
    Master Cirrus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Martin123 View Post
    From experience getting that decision under the Mental Capacity Act is not always simple. If the person shows insight but makes unwise decisions little can be done.
    My experience pre-date the MCA and was quite the opposite; when my mum started doing stupid things like paying any passing Irishman to tarmac her roof my solicitor had all her finances transferred to my control in two days... and I guess it must have been only two hours real work given how much he charged me.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Josh B View Post
    Ninety years on the planet and not an iota of common sense? Surprised natural selection didnt get her ages ago.
    She's fecking 90, you utter cretin!

  25. #25
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gren View Post
    Most people over 70 should be classed as having "diminished responsibility" and be chaperoned in the financial decisions they make. Clearly there are variations in the aging process, but news items of old people being duped are more and more common; it's time that society recognized the problem.

    Charities often seem to target the elderly who are seen as easy pickings by sales people. The marketing companies buy and sell "mug lists" which are mostly elderly folks.

    Warning.. if your elderly mother lives alone, have a look at her checkbook stubs when you get a chance, it may be enlightening.
    Rather ageist, I feel.

    Wonga (and other payday loans) are so excruciatingly expensive that most would consider only those who need assistance breathing (lest they forget!) would take one out, but I suspect they're not living off the over 70s...

    Poor financial judgement certainly isn't the preserve of the elderly...

    M

  26. #26
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    The story is a bit thin on detail, but I have less sympathy than I maybe should have.

    It all seems a bit... off. Why would you buy a mobile phone and 50 grands worth of Swiss watches for a police officer?

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    Master Martin123's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cirrus View Post
    My experience pre-date the MCA and was quite the opposite; when my mum started doing stupid things like paying any passing Irishman to tarmac her roof my solicitor had all her finances transferred to my control in two days... and I guess it must have been only two hours real work given how much he charged me.
    It's quite different now believe me, if the person wishes you to act on their behalf no problem if they don't under the Mental Capacity Act a person is deemed to have capacity unless proved otherwise. To prove a person does not have insight is quite difficult even if they make unwise decisions. Of course all situations are different. In our case the Police, doctor and a social work professional said it would be impossible to prove the criteria even though unwise decisions were made as the person could display insight for actions. We are just waiting for the next person to scam her.
    Last edited by Martin123; 31st October 2014 at 12:48.

  28. #28
    Grand Master Daddelvirks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 33JS View Post
    She's fecking 90, you utter cretin!
    We finally discovered the missing link.................

    Daddel.
    Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!

  29. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by 33JS View Post
    She's fecking 90, you utter cretin!
    So what? Do you think every old person is an idiot or senile?

    That is an abhorrent and bigoted view.

    its self evident that theres much more to this story than meets the eye. She has control of significant sums of cash available on immediate notice. Thats not typical and certainly not typical of people with impaired mental capacity. She managed to buy a bunch of specific electronic goodies and two specific watches. You try it: Give 50 k to a dementia patient, a specific list of items that require some degree of understanding to identify and see how they get on.

    I bet she has far better reasoning ability than at least two of the commentators on this thread.

  30. #30
    The whole story sounds like a load of bollocks.

  31. #31
    Grand Master Daddelvirks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Josh B View Post
    So what? Do you think every old person is an idiot or senile?

    That is an abhorrent and bigoted view.

    its self evident that theres much more to this story than meets the eye. She has control of significant sums of cash available on immediate notice. Thats not typical and certainly not typical of people with impaired mental capacity. She managed to buy a bunch of specific electronic goodies and two specific watches. You try it: Give 50 k to a dementia patient, a specific list of items that require some degree of understanding to identify and see how they get on.

    I bet she has far better reasoning ability than at least two of the commentators on this thread.
    No, not at all, I believe there are younger and middle aged ones as well.

    Daddel.
    Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!

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    All too vague info wise

  33. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by Josh B View Post

    I bet she has far better reasoning ability than at least two of the commentators on this thread.

    We're at least agreed on that.

  34. #34
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    What a bizarre story, I'm assuming she is completely off her rocker.

  35. #35
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    Had a hithertoo capable colleague come up to me beaming one day explaining he had recieved a txt that he's won $80000 in the Mumbai lottery ( it was in India). I had to break it to him gently that as he hadn't played the lottery nor signed up his mobile for it then it was likely to be a scam.

    He looked very crestfallen at this ( he's rich anyway) and then said he'd check in with them once just in case. Crazy.

  36. #36
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    There has to be more to this particular story. However, on a practical level, should there not be a money laundering check on a purchase of that level - requiring a paper trail/added ID that she'd have had to be on the ball to do?

    On the subject of preying on the elderly though, my grandma was targeted a couple of times to my knowledge (aside from the QVC con) on expensive CCTV and things being pinched from her home - by, it appears, carers. There are some ****s out there.

  37. #37
    Craftsman chester's Avatar
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    As the owner of an 86 year old dad I know that con artists target the elderly. When they encounter someone as sharp as pop they just move on to the next old person knowing that eventually they will come across someone who falls for the con.

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