Deluded dad-of-two:‘I just went to get fags for my mum’
Police are advising the public to be cautious of strangers offering bogus services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Social distancing and self-isolation mean more people than usual are in their homes at the moment. This presents an ideal opportunity for criminals to take advantage of elderly and vulnerable people.
Across the UK there is evidence fraudsters are increasingly targeting members of the public, as well as organisations of all sizes, with emails, texts, telephone calls and social media messages offering advice and treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Scammers have set up fake websites to sell products and offer so-called cures or testing kits, as well as requesting donations to help victims. In some instances, cold callers have contacted organisations suggesting a legal requirement to have certain measures in place by a specific deadline.
Launching the‘Shut Out Scammers’ campaign today, Chief Superintendent David Duncan, Safer Communities Division said:“We are aware that community groups are being set up to help vulnerable members of our communities and we do not, in any way, want to impact on the good work being carried out.
“However it is imperative that we are all aware that vulnerable people can be seen as easy targets by criminals seeking to take advantage of this unprecedented and dynamic situation.
“Anyone can be a victim of doorstep crime – it is nothing to be embarrassed about. Criminals can be very clever, and play on your emotions and insecurities. If someone comes to your door claiming to be from a legitimate organisation, always ask for identification.
“Don’t give people money or your bank details if they come to your door and offer to do shopping for you if you don’t know them. And never give your debit or credit card and PIN to anyone.
“If you are self-isolating, let friends and family know and if in doubt about anyone offering services at your door, step back and take a few minutes to contact them for advice. You can also visit the Police Scotland website for more information.”
Between April and September 2019, more than £600,000 has been taken from householders in 306 instances of doorstep and bogus crime.
Fiona Richardson, Chief Officer of Trading Standards Scotland, said: “Trading Standards is at the forefront of tackling consumer related scams.
“Working in partnership with the police and other Shut out Scammers partners means that we are better able to protect our most vulnerable citizens from COVID-related scams.”
Police Scotland is working with a number of partners on the Shut Out Scammers campaign to signpost the public to relevant prevention advice and support services. These include: Trading Standards Scotland; Advice Direct Scotland; Neighbourhood Watch Alert; Age Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
More advice and guidance on preventing crime is available at https:// www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/ personal-safety/Shut-Out-Scammers.
MIKE MCQUAID
A serial thief who targeted delivery lorries in East Kilbride told police “I just went to the shops to get fags for my maw”.
Dad-of-two Darren McCormack stole cigarettes worth at least £10,000 over a three-week period in September.
He then threatened a driver with a weapon after being bailed.
McCormack, 30, was last week jailed for two years and two months when he appeared by video link at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
He admitted a string of thefts from lorries in East Kilbride, attempted thefts, assault and robbery, and breaching a curfew.
Chloe O’Hara, prosecuting, said McCormack would creep into the back of a lorry while the driver was making a delivery and make off with cigarettes.
Two of the thefts happened at Buchandyke Service Station, one was in Murray Square and one was in Calderwood Square.
Police traced him through CCTV and he was arrested in December.
But he was bailed after a court appearance and within days had confronted lorry driver James Sommerville in Hawkwood, East Kilbride.
Ms O’Hara told the court: “McCormack had a woollen hat pulled down and a scarf covering most of his face.
A Brexit Day IRA bomb plot on a ferry bound for Scotland was thought to have been linked to a bomb scare in East Kilbride.
Cops swooped on Sainsbury’s depot on Hurlawcrook Road in February days after Northern Irish cops found a bomb in a County Armagh industrial estate.
The explosives were attached to a lorry thought to be bound for a ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan.
The dissent republican group
“He pulled out an extendable baton, brandished it at the driver and demanded keys.
“These were handed over, but McCormack ran away without entering the lorry.”
By the time police caught up with McCormack the next day he had tried to steal from another lorry, but was disturbed.
Continuity IRA have been blamed for the botched terror bid.
The News understands the‘attack’was linked to the early morning scare in East Kilbride which saw a bomb squad deployed and workers evacuated from the Langlands depot.
However following a thorough search by specially trained officers, nothing suspicious was found.
Northern Irish cops have now launched a probe in a bid to hunt down the bomb
Ms O’Hara added: “When police went to his home his mother let them in. McCormack arrived and told them ‘I just went to the shops to get fags for my maw’.”
Defence solicitor Marisa Borland said McCormack, of East Kilbride, had been abusing cocaine after the breakdown of his relationship.
She added: “His record does not culprits.
A PSNI detective inspector said:“A number of items were seized including a vehicle, mobile phones and clothing, which have all been taken away for further examination.
“Our priority will always be to protect communities and keep people safe from harm and today’s search demonstrates that we will continue to work with our communities to disrupt the activities of violent dissident republicans.” make particularly good reading, but he had stayed out of trouble for three years before these offences.”
Passing sentence, Sheriff Ray Small told McCormack: “No disposal other than custody is appropriate given the pattern of offending and the serious nature of the robbery charge.
“There is also a blatant breach of bail which doesn’t help you.”