Northern Ireland

Police appeal after fraudster cons victims out of 'considerable' amounts of cash

Police are investigating two reports of fraud amid concerns there may be other victims
Police are investigating two reports of fraud amid concerns there may be other victims Police are investigating two reports of fraud amid concerns there may be other victims

POLICE are appealing for help in tracing a man who conned two people out of "considerable sums of money" after he befriended them and convinced them to lend him cash.

The man ran a business in Co Down between 2015 and 2018.

Police say they want to hear from members of the public who believe they may have been taken in by the same fraudster.

In one case, one of the victims was persuaded to give money to the man to help develop a business idea. He further convinced her to lend him another sum of money.

After a lengthy period, the woman, who is from the Holywood area, received back just a fraction of the money she lent him.

In the second case a man, who was also from Holywood, was persuaded to hand over cash and his car, which the man agreed to buy, paying fixed sums every month.

However, the payments for the vehicle stopped and the car was sold on, leaving the victim "significantly out of pocket".

A PSNI spokesman said: "Both of these victims placed their trust in this man, lending him their money in good faith and in the belief they would get back what they were owed.

"However, that didn't happen and both victims lost considerable sums of money."

Both incidents were reported to police in March.

Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to the man is asked to contact police.