Nearly 100 licensees fleeced by fraudster

More than 100 licensees have been fleeced out of tens of thousands of pounds by the conman targeting pubs across England and Wales. The man uses various aliases to book a room, he then pays with a dud company chequebook and robs licensees of cash and jewellery.

Licensee Tania Gray, of the Royal Oak in Kirton Lindsey, Yorkshire had over £1,000 robbed from her office and had personal accommodation ransacked by the pub fraudster.

Ms Gray told The Publican: "He was absolutely charming and really silver-tongued. I am mortified and livid because I feel I have been suckered and totally violated."

The man was almost caught recently by quick-thinking Matthew Hailing-Biggs, licensee at the Crown at Wells in Market Place, Somerset.

Noticing that the company cheque used in the scam was from another pub he contacted the staff there and asked if they knew the man.

"I figured if he was in the trade he would have mentioned that in our conversation," he said.

"As he hadn't I grew suspicious. When I called the pub, staff there immediately told me he had stolen the chequebook so I called the police who told me to keep him there. Unfortunately when they drove up to the pub the man saw them and fled.

"He was so plausible, though, and when someone comes in and offers to book two rooms for two months in February it's very inviting so I can see how he's tricking people."

Anyone with information should contact Avon and Somerset Police on 01275 818181 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also contact the Publican if you have been a victim of this or a similar crime by emailing Tom Sandham at gbzf@gurchoyvpna.pbz​.

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Conman strikes in pubs across the country (8 April 2004)