Survey reveals con artists see pubs as a soft touch

More than half of licensees who have been scammed have lost between £100 and £500 to con artists, according to a survey conducted by The Publican.

Of those, 60 per cent have been targeted by telephone and 30 per cent by letter. Furthermore, 75 per cent have not reported the fraudsters ­ even when they have lost money.

The results of the survey reveal the true cost of scams to pubs, which as cash businesses are a particular target for con artists.

Kevin Barker, licensee at the Rising Sun in Twickenham, Middlesex, has been cheated out of money by multiple schemes. He lost £150 when targeted by rogue advertisers, and said he gets calls from fake magazines every two weeks.

"I can't believe it's still going on," he said.

"They hound you and hound you and hound you, and they frighten you to death as if they are going to come around with a baseball bat. You feel it¹s better to pay for them because you are scared. It¹s awful that people get away with it."

Advertising scams were the most common, with 85 per cent of respondents targeted.

Phony tourist guides were the second most common, with two-thirds of licensees being targeted.

Kevin, who also paid £120 to a bogus pub guide, added: "They said they needed payment in advance and, being a bit stupid, I did pay them. And that was the last I saw of my money."

He did not report the scams because he felt foolish. "I think 95 per cent of people who get ripped off don¹t report scammers. I feel stupid and think, what's 100 quid here and 100 quid there?"

Malcolm Davies, licensee at East Close Country Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset, said he was often targeted by tourist guides from Holland and Slovakia and advertising schemes.

He said: "I think there's more going on now than there had been before. I'm resigned to it. I¹d be angry if I got caught, but, touch wood, I won't."