Cops hunt gang who duped motorists in M74 gold scam

Sep 9 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

POLICE were this week hunting an ‘organised crime gang’ who duped two motorists into handing over cash in a fake gold jewellery scam.

Officers urged the public to be on their guard after two drivers were conned into parting with £100 each in exchange for worthless jewellery in separate incident on the M74.

Motorists were targeted on the southbound slip road at Canderside Toll, junction 8, on Monday.

The heartless gang struck when they flagged down an unsuspecting driver on the slip road at 2.15pm.

The victim was approached by a man in a silver Mercedes E class, registration plate beginning with ‘N’ on the slip road.

The crook told the driver that he was in a family crisis as he had run out of petrol and needed money to buy more to visit his sick father in Manchester.

Falling for the scam, the victim handed over £100 in exchange for the gold jewellery that turned out to be worthless.

A short time later, another motorist was stopped on the slip road and given a similar story.

This time a man – who appeared to be of Turkish origin – showed the victim his ID card.

He then threw jewellery, which was yellow in colour, into the driver’s car.

Feeling sorry for the man, the driver handed over £100 in exchange for the fake gold.

The conman then jumped into the passenger side of the silver Mercedes before it was driven off by his accomplice.

It’s believed the same gang have been targeting people as they come out of the toilets at Bothwell Services on the M74.

Sergeant Claire Campbell, of Hamilton Community Safety, has appealed for the public’s help before the gang strike again.

“This is a common scam being operated by an organised crime gang,” she said.

“If anyone sees people acting suspiciously or trying to flag down motorists on the motorway, then I would urge them to take down the vehicle’s registration number and contact police straight away.

“If any driver is flagged down in this way, I would urge them not to stop and don’t hand over any money for jewellery.

“We don’t think the gang are local, so it is vital that the public help us to stop it from happening again.”

Sergeant Campbell advised motorists that they shouldn’t put themselves in danger by stopping on the motorway for people asking for help.

“It is dangerous to stop on the motorway and drivers should be aware of the Highway Code.

“If they think people genuinely need help then they should contact the police who will deal with the incident.”

The suspect is described as mid 40s, cropped black hair, clean shaven and wearing a shirt.

In July, the Advertiser reported how police were hunting a foreign gang who were trying to dupe motorists into buying fake gold jewellery.

Officers warned people to be on their guard after a couple were stopped by two men in a black BMW on the M74 at Canderside Toll.

The driver was pretending to have broken down and desperately needed cash to buy petrol.

The man then offered the jewellery in exchange for money.

About 40 minutes later the gang struck again in Blantyre.

Two men in a black BMW stopped in front of a female who was driving along Parkneuk Road while on her way to South Lanarkshire Crematorium.

They flagged down the woman and asked for help.

One man, who spoke with poor English, stepped out of the car and said that they had broken down and they had no money to buy fuel.

He then tried to sell her jewellery.

The suspect was well dressed and wearing a suit and a pale blue shirt.

Strathclyde Police warned motorists not to be duped by the gang.

Anyone with information on the latest incidents or have information about the gang should contact Hamilton Police Office on 483300, or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, where calls are free and anonymity can be maintained.