Colchester: new take on old scam

10:15am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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THIEVES appear to have put a new spin on an old scam in Colchester.

A woman had her credit card stolen from her bag, while she was parked in Sheepen Road car park at about 3.30pm on Saturday.

She told police that her bag was on the passenger seat, when a strange man opened her car door and put a map on the seat.

He had a woman with him, and the pair were asking where the hospital was and trying to point on the map.

The driver noticed the map was of the London area, and tried to explain they needed a Colchester version. She went to her boot to get her own local map, but as she did the pair edged backwards and walked off.

They then joined a second man.

An hour later the woman received a call to ask if she had just withdrawn £200 on her credit card at a Colchester cash machine. She checked her bag and realised the card had been stolen.

APPEARS The main suspect is described as being of eastern European appearance and about 5ft 4ins tall. He had long dark black hair which was tied back in a ponytail. The woman with him was aged about 25 to 30.

Colchester crime reduction officer Colin Stiff said: "Everyone is aware of the scam in which people used to place a map on shop counters as a cover for theft.

"This appears to be a new take on this old scam. We would remind people to keep their car doors shut and secure, even if you are in it."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Colchester police on 0300 333 4444.