Two arrested over Radlett phone scam

Two men have been arrested in connection with an alleged phone scam in Radlett.

Since Thursday November 27, a woman in her late 80s from the town was called by someone pretending to be a police officer who claimed to be investigating an incident of fraud. She was directed to withdraw large sums of money and give the cash to a person who was sent to collect them under the pretence that it would be required as part of the investigation.

The woman had already handed over a substantial amount of money and on Friday, December 5, was due to hand over another significant sum of cash. She had attended the bank to withdraw the money but the bank became suspicious and alerted the police.

Officers were then sent to the home of the victim and they were able to use covert tactics to intercept the taxi that was sent to the address to collect the money and prevent any further loss to the victim.

Redwan Hussain, 20, of Piggot Street, Tower Hamlets, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and was remanded in custody by Hatfield Remand Court on Saturday, December 6.

A 43 year old man from Barking was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and has been released on police bail until December 30.

Det Con David Boden from the Hertsmere Local Crime Unit said: “Whilst we continue to make arrests in connection with phone scams, we still need the public to wary of unexpected phone calls as these scams continue to operate across the county.

“Our advice remains the same: the police and banks would never ask you to withdraw any amount of money and send it to them. This is simply something we would never do.”