Police warn public about the hot tub scam that has bubbled up during the pandemic
Police have revealed an increase in hot tub fraud since the start of the pandemic; where scammers will advertise a non-existent unit to potential buyers, warn them they cannot permit a viewing due to coronavirus restrictions, and then cut off all contact once payment is made.
But now these cyber crooks have apparently turned their attention towards luxury home products.
Police have revealed an increase in hot tub fraud since the start of the pandemic; whereby scammers will advertise a non-existent unit to potential buyers, warn them they cannot permit a viewing due to coronavirus restrictions, and then cut off all contact once payment is made.
#ScamAlert | We have seen an increase in hot tub frauds since the start of the pandemic. Please share this message to protect our community. For up to date information and latest scams please follow us on twitter @gmpfraud. pic.twitter.com/WHn4QoPq40
Posting online via their official Twitter account, GMP stated: “Fraudsters are using online sites to advertise hot tubs for sale.
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“They will request deposits for the hot tubs and tell the victim that [their] delivery date is to be confirmed.
“The fraudster will tell the victim the hot tub cannot be viewed because of lockdown restrictions.
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“The fraudster will then cease contact with the victim meaning the deposit is lost.”
Officers are warning buyers to be vigilant before making any big purchases online, and to spread the word about the unusual scam which is leaving many people out of pocket.
Staying safe online includes dealing only with reputable sellers, avoid paying by money transfers, checking the URL in the web browser (is it actually the same website as the design suggests?).
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Police are also encouraging people to use their instinct; if sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
For more information on protecting your money online, visit ActionFraud.
News
Tragedy as two superbike riders die in ‘catastrophic accident’ at Cheshire event
Daisy Jackson
Two riders have tragically died in a ‘chain reaction’ accident at a superbike race in Cheshire.
Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, both died of their injuries following a crash involving 11 riders.
The ‘catastrophic accident’ occurred yesterday at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship superbike race at Oulton Park in Cheshire.
The race was immediately stopped so that trackside medical services could attend to the 11 riders who had fallen.
Due to the ‘extreme severity’ of the incident, the rest of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled.
Two riders lost their lives and another has sustained significant injuries and remains in hospital.
Owen Jenner, 21 years old, was treated trackside and taken to the circuit medical centre , but died from a catastrophic head injury.
Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon (Monday 5 May).
“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.
“Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled.
“The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).”
Police seize an estimated £6m worth of counterfeit goods from Rochdale industrial units
Emily Sergeant
Police have seized an estimated £6 million worth of counterfeit goods from several industrial units in Rochdale.
It comes after the Trading Standards team and officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Rochdale Neighbourhood Policing Team attended a joint visit to a business park, at Crown Top Lane, on the afternoon of Thursday 1 May last week, following the receiving of some intelligence that an Organised Crime Gang from Cheetham Hill had extended their operation and opened another site in Rochdale.
According to GMP, the visit was part of a ‘targeted operation’ tackling organised crime in the Castleton area of Rochdale.
When police arrived on the scene, seven units containing counterfeit goods – including a range of branded sports trainers, perfumes, luxury accessories, high-end tech products, and illicit cigarettes – were all discovered.
Two men, aged 29 and 70 were present at the site, and they were subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession and control of counterfeit goods.
Police have seized an estimated £6m worth of counterfeit goods from Rochdale industrial units / Credit: GMP
They have been bailed pending further enquiries, GMP revealed.
Due to the large scale of the boxed goods, the scene was secured overnight and officers and trading standards returned the following day (Friday 2 May) with a HGV to recover all the items.
Police are now appealing to the public for information, with Inspector Anthony Taylor, from GMP’s Rochdale Neighbourhood Policing Team, explaining that it takes any intelligence submitted by the public ‘seriously’ and acts upon it ‘accordingly’.
“If you have any concerns about organised criminals operating in your area, please get in touch with us,” he concluded.
The Manc -
15th September 2020 
