Current timestamp: 22/05/2025 23:15:45
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Gloucestershire Constabulary crest

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Report a missing person
    • Fraud
    • Spiking
    • Stalking or harassment
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area
  1. ...
  2. News

Warning after elderly man scammed out of £1,500 in Cheltenham

Main article content

Appeals
Published: 12:21 07/09/2020

An elderly man in Cheltenham was scammed out of £1,500 for a 10 minute gardening job by unknown men who demanded he hand over more cash.

Police are issuing a warning to be wary of people offering services door-to-door and unannounced, after the original fee was set at £100 to kill some weeds on a driveway.

The incident happened in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham last Thursday (3 September) after two men approached an elderly resident and offered the work.

When the victim agreed to the job for £100, the men upped the fee to £1,500 and demanded the money, and so he travelled to town and withdrew cash.

He handed it over to the men who sprayed his driveway for 10 minutes and left the area in what is believed to be a white van.

Police are investigating and appealing for anyone with information, dashcam footage or CCTV to come forward. This incident happened in the area of Maple Drive/Willow Road but the vehicle may have been parked in a nearby road.

Information can be given to police online by completing the update a crime report form on the Constabulary's website by quoting incident 151 of 4 September here: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

You can also call police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website crimestoppers-uk.org.

Gloucestershire Constabulary is urging people to make their elderly or vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours aware of this type of scam and for people to remain cautious and vigilant when people offer services and items for sale door-to-door.

Scams involve fraudsters knocking on your door and unexpectedly offering products or services. They can be convincing, and trick people in to paying for work which is often overpriced, of a poor quality or is not even carried out. 

They may pressure you in to making quick decisions for work which often isn't necessary in the first place.

Remember to take time to consider your options and to not be pressured into making a quick decision. Never pay upfront for goods or services you have not received and question whether they are a legitimate company. Legitimate builders do not call door to door. If you feel pressured by any cold caller, say no and close the door.

For more advice visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/personal-fraud/door-to-door-courier-fraud/

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

Gloucestershire Constabulary

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Find a police station
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • News
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Partners

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.