Alert to fake police officers… and fake plumbers too. The Interdepartmental Directorate of the National Police (DIPN) of Oise, wanted this Friday to alert the inhabitants of Beauvais “about thefts linked to false quality”. In question, a scam committed this week at the expense of an elderly person in the city-prefecture. “A plumber arrived at the victim's home saying that homeowners had warned him of water leaks in the neighborhood and that he needed to check his home,” police detail.
It was then that the fake police officers entered the scene, showing up at the home and indicating that “fake plumbers were operating in the area”. In the midst of all this, the three accomplices managed to steal cash from the victim. “It is possible that she was tracked from the moment she withdrew the money to her home,” further details the DIPN, which opened an investigation.
If in doubt, dial 17
An unfortunately common procedure, particularly in the Oise. In Compiègne, on March 18, several elderly people were victims of “theft using false police officer status” in very similar circumstances.
To combat this practice, the Oise police reiterate several safety rules, such as “do not rely on the uniform” and “if in doubt, call the institution or company concerned”. In addition, national police officers always hold a police card and an identification number as well as specific equipment such as a bulletproof vest, a radio and an orange armband when they are in civilian clothes. “If you dial 17, an agent will be able to confirm if you are facing a real police officer,” concludes the DIPN.