Police warn of Isle of Axholme fish scam

Police are urging Isle of Axholme residents to be on high alert, after two pensioners say they were conned into buying nearly £400 worth of fish from a rogue trader.
Police are urging Isle of Axholme residents to be on high alert, after two pensioners say they were conned into buying nearly 400 worth of fish from a rogue trader.Police are urging Isle of Axholme residents to be on high alert, after two pensioners say they were conned into buying nearly 400 worth of fish from a rogue trader.
Police are urging Isle of Axholme residents to be on high alert, after two pensioners say they were conned into buying nearly 400 worth of fish from a rogue trader.

A Humberside Police spokesman said the couple in their 70s were approached at their home on Derrythorpe by a man offering them 10 small trays of what he claimed to be Grimsby fish.

The couple did not agree to a price prior to purchase, and made a payment with a mobile card machine.

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The man had left by the time the couple realised he had processed a payment for £376, but luckily, they were able to stop the payment before any money went out of their account.

Upon inspection, officers found the fish was actually bought from a local supermarket.

Whilst still in date, it is believed it had not been stored at the correct temperature.

PC Brendan Franey from Humberside Police said: “Our advice is don't do business on the doorstep. Don't feel you have to be polite and listen to a sales pitch if you’re suspicious.”

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"We do hear some really quite horrible stories about people who have lost hundreds of pounds in these scams or more. It's not unusual for these individuals to charge up to £400.

"There are all sorts of issues around the product. You might think you're getting haddock for example but you’re actually getting something much cheaper. On this occasion there was a packet of kippers, ordinarily a very cheap fish”

"Don't assume you are getting a bargain.”

Local trading standards officers have been made aware. If you have any information please call 101 quoting log 216 of 07/02/18.