Fraudsters con victims out of cash with fake jewellery

FRAUDSTERS who con their victims out of their cash by offering them fake jewellery as a "guarantee" are being hunted by police.

Officers said a female motorist had become the latest person to fall victim to the "ongoing scam" after pulling over to help another driver on the A7 on Monday.

The woman was driving towards Newtongrange on Hardengreen Road when she was flashed by the motorist who signalled for her to pull over.

The scam has previously seen people asked for petrol money because the driver has apparently lost his wallet.

On this occasion, police said the woman gave up a small sum of cash to help with "an emergency", receiving a piece of gold jewellery in return as a sign of goodwill.

The jewellery later turned out to be fake and the woman contacted the police.

In the latest incident, police said they were looking for a driver who is around 50 years old with a dark, possibly Asian, complexion. He was accompanied by a 45-year-old male passenger with an Asian complexion and a female passenger, who is around 50 and is also thought to be Asian.

A police spokesman said: "We are eager to locate these individuals as soon as possible and anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately.

"At the same time, we are asking our communities to remain vigilant and report any incidents that resemble this scam to police."

It follows reports of similar incidents elsewhere in the country where a well-dressed man driving a Mercedes has conned victims.

Police are now warning other members of the public to be wary, adding that the jewellery being offered up is "dodgy".