Teenager charged after three pensioners scammed in Folkestone and Gravesend

Published: 14:11, 05 October 2020

Updated: 15:44, 05 October 2020

Fraud detectives have charged an 18-year-old man in connection with a scam where elderly people were tricked into handing over their bank cards.

Jonathan Maduda, of Portpool Lane, Holborn, London, has been charged with four counts of false representation after allegedly tricking three pensioners across Kent.

The alleged scam took place last January. Picture by Don Bayley

The alleged offences were all committed in January last year. The victims were a woman in her 90s from Folkestone and two women from Gravesend in their 70s and 80s.

They all reported being contacted by somebody claiming to be a police officer who persuaded them to give up their bank cards to help support a bogus investigation.

The scam saw the women lose a total of £5,490 between them.

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DC James Dolby of the Serious Economic Crime Unit said: "It is important to remember that a police officer will never ask you to pay money over the phone, threaten you with arrest for not paying or ask you to give them your banking details or credit cards.

Maduda will appear before magistrates later this year. Stock image

"If somebody rings you asking for this information, do not give it to them.

"Instead, hang up the phone and call a trusted number from a different phone or wait at least five minutes to ensure the line has cleared and you are not still talking to the same fraudster or an accomplice.

"Contact your bank immediately if you think you may have been scammed and also report the incident to Action Fraud."

Maduda will appear before Medway Magistrates' Court on December 21.