A suspected teen fraudster accused of scamming a pensioner out of thousands of pounds has appeared in court.

Benjamin Lee, 18, was arrested after a woman in her 80s from Gillingham was contacted by someone claiming to be from the police.

She contacted Kent Police saying she was told she could be owed compensation in relation to previous fraud offences carried out against her.

Spokesman Andy Saunders said: "It is alleged the victim was told fees were required in order to claim the compensation.

"The victim is reported to have then made a number of payments over July 18 and 19 to a man who visited her home and who accompanied her to several places to withdraw money."

On Friday, officers arrested Lee, of Church Road, Murston, Sittingbourne.

He was later charged with fraud by false representation.

Police also charged him with a further suspected fraud offence.

It is alleged between August and September 2019, a victim aged in her 50s from Chatham paid upfront for landscaping work in her garden but no work was carried out.

Lee was remanded in custody and will appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court today.

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