Drivers targeted by fake gold fraudsters

DRIVERS have been warned not to buy fake gold from roadside fraudsters who have been targeting motorists in the county.

The warning comes after several reports of men attempting to flag down motorists with stories of breakdowns and having no money.

They have then offered to give people their jewellery in exchange for cash.

People have been stopped in Worcester, Evesham, Severn Stoke and Inkberrow including two separate incidents near Junction 6 of the M5 on Tuesday, Feb 5 and the following day.

In Evesham motorists were approached on the A44 on February 5 and Worcester Road on Sunday, February 3.

A man was also spotted parked up in a lay-by at the Twyford Services on Tuesday (Feb 5) and he was moved on by officers after they had carried out a search.

Another driver was also stopped on the A38 through Severn Stoke on Thursday (Feb 7) where two people were attempting to flag down motorists. They said they had no fuel, needed money, and offered him two gold rings. They also asked for his address and bank details, but he refused and drove off.

Chief Inspector Paul Kinsella, who leads local policing in South Worcestershire, said: “It is an increasingly well-known scam for people to be offered gold jewellery in exchange for cash to pay for petrol in a supposed emergency. The items paid for then prove to be worthless.

“If anyone tries to flag you down and sell you anything at the roadside or claims to need money for some sort of family emergency, don’t be taken in by them and don’t hand over any money, as it is highly likely to be a scam."

Anyone who is targeted is urged to take down the scammers' vehicle registration numbers and report it straight away to police on 101.

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