Tunbridge Wells phone scammer who allegedly 'posed as police' and targeted pensioners is arrested
The man claimed to work as a fraud investigator and got a man to draw out thousands in cash
A suspected phone scammer has been arrested in Tunbridge Wells following allegations he posed as a police officer to steal cash from a pensioner.
The man was arrested following a foot chase in a supermarket car park, where the victim had reportedly been instructed to go after withdrawing several thousand euros.
Police were initially called at 12.05pm on Tuesday, to a report a man claiming to work as a fraud investigator had called the victim and told him there was suspicious activity connected to his bank account.
It is alleged the victim, aged in his 70s, was then given instructions to follow which included withdrawing large sums of money to hand over at a meeting place.
Enquiries led officers to a Tesco car park in Pembury, where the suspect was pursued and taken into custody.
Thai-Rye Wright-Lewis, 24, of Walton Green, New Addington, Croydon was later charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.
He was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court today.