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Original poster

Re advice on fraud/ cuckooing

44 replies

Stomacharmeleon · 16/06/2023 20:57

Hi all
I work as a volunteer for a small Foodbank/ benefit advice type place and we have had an elderly gentleman in a couple of times (he is 87) His wife died 15 Years ago and he has no local relatives.

He is very quiet and withdrawn.

He has gradually opened up and told me he has an adopted family who he met ten years ago through the local big issue seller.

In a nutshell 'Jessica' has rinsed him for every penny he has. £800 a month roughly. There are numerous mobile phones on his account. His bank account is a mess. Constant withdrawals from 'Jessica'. She is not local... about an hour and a half away... and pops up when he is paid old age pension etc. He is reliant on the food bank.

We spoke to social services last week and they said he had his faculties and could give money to whoever he wanted. By doing some digging I have found out she has previous and has been to prison for fraud and begging. I suspect by name she is Romanian (this is observational merely)

He knows what's happening isn't right but he is being hounded by phone. I don't know what else I can do. Should I talk to the police? I don't know how the bank have not picked it up? He has said she is his only friend :(

He is coming Back next week so I can help address his direct debits which are enormous. And the phone issue. By stopping them alone he would be £200 a month better off.

It's so horrible and I just can't stop thinking about it.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 16/06/2023 21:45

i would call safeguarding and the police. You should be able to google safeguarding (plus your local area)

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 16/06/2023 21:50

Absolutely this will be for the Police to deal with.

Notsandwiches · 16/06/2023 21:56

Just because someone has capacity doesnt mean they can't be exploited or coerced. What will happen if he refuses? I'd escalate this at SS and contact the police.

Notsandwiches · 16/06/2023 21:56

Just because someone has capacity doesnt mean they can't be exploited or coerced. What will happen if he refuses? I'd escalate this at SS and contact the police.

Motherofalittledragon · 16/06/2023 21:56

The poor man I'd go to the police , when trying to get my mum help just for care I found SS useless. It surely must be a safeguarding issue for him.

Comeonskinnylove · 16/06/2023 21:56

How awful. I'd be calling the police.

Original poster
Stomacharmeleon · 16/06/2023 22:03

Thanks all. He knows there is something 'off'. He initially broached the subject by saying he had a seriously ill friend who had just had a double mastectomy. He wanted to check whether she was in hospital in London.

I explained to him about data protection.

It has developed from there. Seeing his bank statements today has shocked me though. He is broke with no end in sight due to numerous contracts with phones etc.

And I am angry with social services. They were so dismissive. I will discuss the police. And try and convince him.

OP posts:
Casilero · 16/06/2023 22:04

Oh God the poor man! I agree with pp about the police, but would charities like age concern be able to help too? He needs someone to work with him really. Shame social services aren't able to help. Could you Google local welfare charities and reach out to them?

It's good that he's got you looking out for him. Does he fall into any minority group? Because sometimes there are specific charities to help within the community. I don't know what else to suggest.

I know one of my mum's friend's relatives fell victim to cuckooing, but that was under different circumstances as it was drug related. Still horrific though, and these leeches are truly despicable people.

Original poster
Stomacharmeleon · 16/06/2023 22:12

We are the local welfare charities sadly.

He is just an elderly gentlemen (wears a shirt and tie to the food bank) not a minority, doesn't see anyone, has one niece but very low contact. Apparently she has flagged her concern before but to whom I am not sure.

I mentioned cuckooing as her and three children moved in just after Christmas for six weeks then left. I suspect to gain more access to him.

I deal with lots of sad cases where people are forgotten or looked over. This one has really got me though. You

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 16/06/2023 22:26

This is so dreadful. Why are some people such scumbags? Well done op for trying to help this gentleman.

Casilero · 16/06/2023 22:44

That's so sad @Stomacharmeleon

I do think there needs to be more awareness around this, because I'd never heard of it before it happened to my mum's friend's son. I was shocked and sickened when I learned what had happened to him - I appreciate its a different scenario as this guy was a drug addict, but it's still the same types of people targeting vulnerabilities.

It should really fall under the remit of social services I'd have thought, but given you've got nowhere with them, how about, once you've contacted the police and registered him as a victim of crime - maybe Victim Support? I did some work with them a long time ago through volunteering, and the branch I worked with had some good people including counsellors and people who could signpost other services. Just trying to think of options really...

Going back to my mum's friend's son again, the Police did help massively. But this crime would have been on a bigger scale I imagine with it being drug related.

PoseyFlump · 16/06/2023 22:55

This is so heart breaking. Thank goodness for people like you OP. And thank you for trying to help him. That could be any of us in the future 😔

Original poster
Stomacharmeleon · 16/06/2023 22:56

@OttoGraph thanks for the links.
He owns his house and from what I can see council tax is paid.

OP posts:
itsmylife7 · 16/06/2023 23:27

What a lovely person you're OP to help this poor man. so very sad how he's been treated.

alexdgr8 · 17/06/2023 00:42

off the top of my head, some other groups to look up:
action on elder abuse.
age UK.
his local councillor/ MP.
if he did national service:
soldiers, sailors and airforce assn.
army benevolent fund.

and of course, the police.

Gunkle1 · 17/06/2023 01:01

Although I sympathise and find this disgusting. To meet to criteria for safeguarding there has to be a care or support need, and age doesn't count unless linked to something else. It's a common misconception that age is covered, I am an accredited safeguarding instructor and even people who manage care services, nurses and other professionals are not always aware of this part of safeguarding.

SS are correct in the sense he has capacity therefore is entitled to make his own decisions and unfortunately deal with the consequences. It is difficult to enforce as it would be a breach to his rights for SS to take over.

However the police maybe an option, as not all abuse is a criminal offence and vice versa.

Casilero · 17/06/2023 01:04

@alexdgr8

Good idea about the ex service charities

@Stomacharmeleon

Maybe find out what he used to do for a living because there are charities for a number of ex services and trades. I know the Police definitely have one, and I think there's one for ex miners too. There may even be something from an ex employer if he worked for a large enough organisation that's still in existence.

It's so good of you to care like this, because it sounds like if it wasn't for you he'd fall through the cracks. Are you able to pm me with where you are? I'm not sure if I'd be able to help or not, but I do work for a charity and whilst I'm not in a service user facing role myself, I could certainly ask around my colleagues. We do work with the elderly and one of my good friends at work might be able to help access services. In fact if I gave you her number she'd join forces with you and feel exactly as you do!

IamThegreaterMole · 17/06/2023 01:06

This is awful. Age U.K. might be able to advise you.

Casilero · 17/06/2023 01:25

@Gunkle1

How can he be regarded to have capacity though when he's got to the point where he's giving all his money away and can't afford to feed himself? Does it have to be really bad to reach the threshold?

Actually, I've probably answered my own question. And I guess there's a line. You wouldn't want state interference just because other people didn't agree with your choices. How awful though.

Gunkle1 · 17/06/2023 01:29

Casilero · 17/06/2023 01:25

@Gunkle1

How can he be regarded to have capacity though when he's got to the point where he's giving all his money away and can't afford to feed himself? Does it have to be really bad to reach the threshold?

Actually, I've probably answered my own question. And I guess there's a line. You wouldn't want state interference just because other people didn't agree with your choices. How awful though.

That's exactly the point, incapacity needs to be assessed but it's the same as some of these people who get conned into marriage with people from overseas and run with there money. SS wouldn't get involved.

It's a very fine line between interfering and supporting, society in general are very anti establishment just now, so SS would be seen as interfering in private life if they don't get it right.

I agree that something should happen but would have to be legal avenue.

Casilero · 17/06/2023 01:41

@Gunkle1

I understand. And yes, you are right, people want less state interference not more.

It's really bothered me though this thread. The poor man. And sadly, I really don't think this will be an isolated case, as scamming in all it's forms seems to be increasing. I knew about cuckooing with drug addicts but hadn't even considered it could be applied to anyone at all who was vulnerable.

I don't know what the answer is. Definitely raising awareness, because I didn't know until very recently it was a thing at all. Maybe there should be a charity specifically for this. It's just horrible. It's a form of slavery isn't it? The victims are isolated and controlled. And frightened.

TyneTeas · 17/06/2023 01:42

Your organisation should have a policy for this and you need to follow that

Tippingadvice · 17/06/2023 08:54

@Stomacharmeleon Age concern can help. They are very good with financial abuse of the elderly.

BillyBraggisnotmylover · 17/06/2023 08:57

If you know when he’s coming back OP could you see if a local police officer could attend to listen to him? Sometimes easier to tell a difficult story once than multiple times.