Police issue warning after fraudster targets two people in Holywood

by Q Radio News

Police have issued a warning after two members of the public were targeted by the same suspected fraudster. 

In both cases in March earlier this year, it was reported both victims had been befriended by a man who convinced them to lend him money. 

In one report, the victim was convinced to give money to the man to help develop a business idea.

He further convinced her to lend him another sum of money. After a lengthy period, the woman had received just a fraction of the money she lent him. She never received the remainder. 

In the other case, the victim was persuaded to hand over cash and his car, which the man agreed to buy, paying fixed sums every month.

However, after a period the payments for the vehicle stopped and the car was sold on and the victim was left significantly out of pocket. 

Detective Constable Horner says, "Both of these victims placed their trust in this man, lending him their money in good faith and in the belief they would get back what they were owed.

"However, that didn't happen and both victims lost considerable sums of money.

"Unfortunately, we believe there may be others out there who have fallen victim to this man and his scams, and I want to make a direct appeal to them to come forward to us.

"In particular, I want to appeal to anyone who believes they may have come into contact with this man when he ran a business in the Holywood area between 2015 and 2018.

"Do you believe you were befriended by this man and asked to invest money in his business, or loan him money which he promised to pay back with a substantial return? 

"If you think you were, or if you have information you believe would assist our investigation I would appeal to you to get in touch with us. Anyone who can help should could detectives on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1180 of 14/03/18."