At Last, a Real Scam to Report!

[Scunner]

Sorry if that's a little flippant in a serious section but I'm sure you know what I mean.

This scam I have actually heard before, and from the information I have received I certainly believe this happened. The information comes from a member who is a little worried about possibly getting jumped on by sceptical members, but I think it needs to be posted.

A couple and 2 teenage children were walking back along Baris Manco Bulvari, having been in the sun lounger cushion and associated gubbins shop near the Aydin Pide roundabout. A car drew up beside them around the Kemal Kara resyaurant and two very well dress men got out. One introduced himself and showed ID including police badge. The father was asked:

Where he was staying
Did he have his passport with him
Did he have any other identification with him
Was he carrying hash or any other type of drug
Could he check his wallet as they were checking for counterfeit bank notes

This guy is a Captain in the forces and with respect for authority and didn't suspect anything. The long and the short of this tale is that when he received his possessions back, his cash had been taken from his wallet (around £200).

I'm sure many people will be thinking that they are hardly surprised, but imagine if it happened to you on holiday - you'd probably do as you were told too, especially on seeing a police badge (do you KNOW what a Turkish police badge is supposed to look like, and tell a good fake?).

Anyway, this was reported to the Police at Gunlukbasi (Hooray) and I'm told they took it very seriously indeed. They returned with the British folk to the scene, asked questions of several people etc, flicked through a book of mugshots etc etc.

Ultimately they were not in the book and probably long gone but the victims of this fraud were pleased with the actions and attention the police gave them.

Please be vigilant and look out for anything like this. My advice is to ask to be taken to the police station to have your ID and wallet checked, and as these guys did REPORT IT!!!

Not wanting to end on a low note, the family loved Calis  

[number2]

But would you get in a car with two men that you were suspicious of, they could take you to somewhere isolated, take your wallet, and do you more damage than they would do if you were on a main road, so what do you do, they've had time to work out their strategy, yours is a spur of the moment thing. Alan

[Colwyn]

So what do people recommend in such circumstances (i.e. stopped by someone claiming to be plain clothes police)? Offer to walk with them to nearest police station/jandarmarie? Carry police number with you and ring the station to check the identity?

[Scunner]

I'm sorry, I don't have all the answers. Apologies if I gave the impression I did  

[dycedon]

Keith, my mate Joe told me about this one about 10 days ago, exactly same thing but with 2 girls, he reckoned it was a big white car, dont know the make, so be aware everyone.

[scorcher]

Scunner - have you been cloned ?

[Colwyn]

quote:Originally posted by Scunner

I'm sorry, I don't have all the answers. Apologies if I gave the impression I did  

It's OK Scunner I wasn't asking you to play God. I was suggesting that "people" - in general - might post some (possibly) good ideas as to what to do in such circumstances. As No. 2 says, jumping in a car with these people in order to go to a police station might not be the safest bet. I am pleased to hear that the local police are taking it seriously - but I didn't really expect anything else.

[kevin3]

Perhaps if people put in this position had a phone with them they could ask for the "policemens" station name and phone number and ring it.It would be answered in Turkish but may sort out the real from the robbers.But of course hindsights wonderful.Could anyone in Fethiye find out if real policemen would act in this way,ie.plain clothes and taking your wallet away from you.

[maria]

This is something that I started a topic on LAST September you have obviously got a lot more social standing than me Scunner I only got one reply!!!!    

maria x x x x

[Scunner]

In fairness Maria I was one of the replies in this one  

This happened last month. When I was told about it I said it rang very loud bells and that must have been your topic. I forgot to mention, this happened at 11 AM O'clock in the morning.