Man, 70s, escorted to bank and allegedly forced to withdraw money

Police were called to suspected suspicious activity by men working on a garden of a house in Okeford Fitzpaine

Author: Maria GreenwoodPublished 27th Oct 2022

A man has been allegedly forced to withdraw money from his account by men working on his garden in north Dorset.

Dorset Police received a report at around 2.30pm on Tuesday (25 October) of suspicious activity after a number of men using a white Transit tipper vehicle carried out work in the garden of a property in Okeford Fitzpaine.

The victim – a man aged in his 70s – was allegedly forced to go to a bank with the men to withdraw money for the work carried out at his address.

Officers attended and three men from the East Dorset area – aged 32, 34 and 57 – were all arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation. They have been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Jane Moore, of North Dorset police, said: “Officers responded swiftly to this incident and we have arrested a number of individuals.

“Our investigation is continuing and the victim is being supported by the location neighbourhood policing team, as well as his family.

“I would ask anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the vicinity around the relevant time to please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220173713.

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