Hosts warned over 'translator' scam
Licensees have been warned of a new scam involving upfront payments for bogus translators used by letting guests.
Hosts are asked to take payment for guests, including a sizeable sum — typically a few thousand pounds — for a translator.
The money is deposited and later the licensee is asked to forward the translator's payment to a separate account, apparently owned by the translator.
After this money is transferred, it emerges that the initial payment to the pub was made from a stolen card and the money is returned to the credit card company — leaving the licensee out of pocket for the translator's fee.
The BII was made aware of the scam after a member was caught out over a booking of seven nights for a group of "Greek priests". The licensee lost £3,500, the payment for the nonexistent translator.
North Yorks hosts Dawn and Nigel Pattison contacted the Morning Advertiser this week after Nigel was apparently targeted twice.
One instance involved booking two double rooms for "FIFA officials", with a translator's fee of £5,900. The other involved three couples from Hong Kong on their "pre-season vacation and honeymoon" — the cost of the translator was £6,500.
Nigel, Enterprise lessee of the Forrester's Arms in Kilburn, said: "While we are all looking for extra trade at the moment, this goes to show we should be diligent and responsible at all times."
BII corporate communications manager Michelle Luscombe said: "Our members do alert us to scams doing the rounds and we highlight them on our website. It always pays to be vigilant. If in any doubt, check it out."
