Motorists Warned of Roadside Petrol Scam

October 30, 2014

Surrey Police is warning motorists to remain vigilant following a recent spate of people being conned into giving money for petrol with the suspects pretending to be drivers in need.
The first incident was reported to police on Thursday, 6 November. The victim, a 64-year-old man from Walton-on-Thames, had been driving along Lammas Lane, Esher, at around 2.15pm when he was flagged down by the suspects stating they needed cash for fuel. He gave them £20 cash in exchange for three gold rings and the suspects promised to repay the money and gave the victim a business card.
The rings have since been established as being worthless and the business card fake.

The two suspects have been described as being smartly dressed, dark skinned, possibly of Arabic origin, having a large build and being around 40 to 50 years old. Their vehicle is believed to be a black Mercedes saloon car. Two further incidents took place on Saturday, 15 November between 9.45am and 10.10am.
One victim, a 54-year-old man from Byfleet, stopped to assist a man who flagged him down at the slip road of the A3 by the Cobham roundabout. The suspect said he needed petrol to get to Glasgow and offered the victim some rings.
The victim declined the rings but drove to the Sainsbury's petrol station in Cobham whilst the suspect followed in his car. It is believed that the suspect had four passengers in his vehicle.
Having arrived at the petrol station the victim handed the suspect £240 for fuel. The suspect took the victim's mobile phone number, gave him a business card which was later established as fake, and promised to contact the victim to repay the money when he reached his destination. He then got back in his vehicle and left the scene.
The suspect has been described as having an Asian appearance, being around 40 to 45 years old and having a stocky build. He had a moustache and short, dark well-kept hair. He was wearing a white shirt and dark coloured trousers and tie. It is possible that he understood Arabic.
The other men in the suspect's car, which is believed to be a Mitsubishi, have been described as being of a smart appearance and of similar ethnicity to the suspect.

The other victim, a 58 year old man from Farnborough, was flagged down by two men who also stated that no money to get to Glasgow and offered to sell him gold jewellery for £250. The incident took place on the A316.
The suspects have been described as being Asian or Eastern European and having foreign accents. It is believed they were driving a dark blue Saab.
They followed the victim to the BP petrol station on Staines Road East,which is adjacent to Kempton Park in Sunbury, where the victim withdrew £250 for the suspects.
Investigating officerPolice Constable Dave Atkinson, said: "These are despicable offences where innocent people have had their goodwill taken advantage and they have been conned out of money by bogus motorists in need when stopping to help.

"I urge anyone who comes across people acting suspiciously at the roadside or trying to flag passing motorists down for assistance to call 101.

"Similarly, there is a strong possibility that these crimes may be linked and other incidents may have taken place in other parts of the county. Anyone who has been offered jewellery in exchange for money for petrol should contact Surrey Police. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could prove vital to the investigation and bring those responsible to justice.” Anyone who has information is urged to contact Surrey Police either by using our online reporting system found at http://www.surrey.police.uk/ or calling 101 quoting reference 45140096483. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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