Two men have been arrested for scamming pensioners in Tunbridge Wells car parks. Four elderly victims were targeted in a fraud scheme involving fake parking payment machines while attempting to pay for parking in Tunbridge Wells and Pembury.
The scam was uncovered after a police chase led to the suspects’ arrest. On Thursday, September 8, 2022, between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., two pensioners on Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, and two others in a nearby hospital car park fell victim to the fraud.
The suspects approached the victims with tampered parking payment machines. When the victims inserted their bank cards, the machines immediately captured and stole their card details.
Police responded quickly, and at 12:35 p.m., two suspects were apprehended after failing to stop for officers on New Road, Crowborough, East Sussex. Both men were arrested and charged following a thorough investigation.
James Zakir, 26, from East Ham, Beckton, faces multiple charges including three counts of fraud by false representation, three counts each of theft and attempted theft, as well as driving without insurance, dangerous driving, and failing to stop for police.
Karim Shariff, 35, of Fothergill Close, Greater London, has been charged with three counts each of fraud, theft, and attempted theft.
Both men appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, September 10, and have been remanded in custody. Their next court hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 10, 2022, at Maidstone Crown Court.
Originally published by UKNIP.
