It’s a very elaborate scenario, but it seems well established! For the past few days, the police station in Draguignan (Var) has been registering complaints for “abuse of weakness” and a mattress scam. The crooks approach their victims, often aged over 80, in a supermarket car park (in Draguignan and Trans-en-Provence in particular) and do not hesitate to follow them to their homes in order to sell them a new mattress for… 1,400 euros !
Commissioner Cédric Fèvre, Director of Public Security in Draguignan, details the process: “A first crook approaches his victim when she is concentrating on putting away her groceries. By subtly asking her questions, he manages to find out when and where the person bought her mattress. He then pretends to be someone from the service after-sales service of the brand and explains that there are problems with this bedding, with the presence in particular of dust mites.
Stabbing in the mattress
The man then offers toescort the victim home to find out the facts. “In one case, the person refused. But the scammer followed her anyway and managed to persuade her into the room” says the policeman. Armed with a discreet knife, the man makes a cut in the mattress and thus shows the victim that there is indeed a problem and that the mattress must be changed.
A second individual then arrives with a new mattress, sold for 1,400 euros! “They even go so far as to offer a discount of 200 euros in the event of payment in cash. And they accompany the elderly person at the bank so that she can withdraw money” continues the commissioner.
The police therefore call for vigilance and remind that it is preferable to don’t buy anything from a stranger crossed in the street. They advise asking the “seller(s)” for a reflection period. In the event of a new appointment, you must be accompanied by one of your children or another trustworthy person.
The Home Office also posted online a few weeks ago a guide to fighting scamsavailable on the ministry website.
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