Warning over ‘fake fines’ scam

FRAUDSTERS are tricking people and businesses into paying fake fines and licence fees by pretending to be from the British Council.

Anti-fraud organisation Action Fraud has had several reports of con artists pretending to be from the UK charity approaching people in person and over the phone and trying to trick them into paying a fine or licence fee.

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, and does not collect council tax fines or issue licences.

But fraudsters are turning up at shops citing a range of false reasons to get small businesses to part with their cash.

This includes tricking them into paying for fake alcohol licences, massage licences, operations licences, council tax licences and business rates. Once a victim has paid the fee, the fraudsters issue an official-looking receipt. In one receipt that was flagged by a business in Brighton, £300 cash was requested by enforcement agent “2721 Richards”.

Businesses should always contact their local council to apply for a licence.

Individuals who are looking for loans are also being targeted. In one case reported to Action Fraud, a woman was called by fraudsters who offered her a £1,000 loan with a set-up fee of £199.

The woman agreed to the terms and paid the set-up fee. She was then told she had to pay an additional £220 to verify the loan through the British Council.

The fraudsters then transferred two separate payments totalling £175 back into the victim’s account and told her this was to check her account was “working”.

To finalise the process, they then told her to transfer the money back. The loan was never given and the victim lost all her money.

A spokesperson for the British Council said: “The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

“It does not do door-to-door visits, collect business and council tax, nor issue TV licences.

“We take the misuse of our logo extremely seriously and this has already been reported within our organisation.”

If you are approached by anyone in person claiming to be from the British Council, don’t give them any money and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or the police.