Teenage scammers "Fundraising" door to door for football clubs Post Reply

[cmf]

thanks!

[AnandaG]

I came across a young lad running this scam in Haverhill Road in Balham yesterday. I was walking down the road and saw him with a sponsorship form in hand looking a bit shifty. Having read about this scam on here I asked him what he was doing and he instantly turned on the smiley charm and started giving me the Lambeth Lions/Tackle Africa spiel. When I told him I knew it was a scam he initially tried to convince me he was legit and then legged it round the corner into Pentney Road.

Just for the record, he looked about 15, Somalian in appearance and he introduced himself as Mohammed Abdul.

[supergirl]

On kings rd yesterday were some trying to raise money for a football club too - didnt get the name. Be aware. There was 5 of themand were not looking officials

[cmf]

Just a heads up these boys are at it again. I was door knocked north side of Clapham Common. When I asked to take a photo of the sponsorship form the boy said I couldn't and when I queried why he did he'd been told by the coaches that he couldn't but offered no further reason. He was not happy I took a photo...

[Denwand]

They were around the Magdalen Estate 2 weeks ago, About five of them aged 14-16, caught me as I was coming out of front door.

I noticed they are very opportunistic and didn't bother knocking on any other doors but just seemed to approach me on the off chance.

When asked "When are you returning to collect the donation" the polite boy said "Oh no we take it now!"

I told him that's not how it works and he toddled off without any bother!

[Spinosaurus]

Just a heads up that Lambeth Lions are out again raising money this morning in Balham. Same spiel as before.

[sloaney donkey]

I had some foul little liar come to my door yesterday

"Please don't slam the door on me ... I am homeless and used to be in the army and need money for a shelter ... I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to ... I am selling cleaning products", he said.

I asked him which regiment from and where he served and clearly was lying (there is no British military regiment called "31st Spurs" in Tenerife).

I put him under citizens arrest but he ran before I could catch him and left me with his cleaning products ... probably stolen.

At least I don't need to go to Tescos for products to clean my bog.

[Needcoffeenow]

But Tackle Africa is a perfectly legit charity. Westminster School are among it supporters. So how can you be sure they were scammers? Lots of kids’ clubs and schools get sponsorship door to door but it doesn’t mean they are criminals.

[addled]

Needcoffeenow, dyou get scammed often?

[Needcoffeenow]

We get people of various types knocking all the time including (of course) Darren Bingham. Some obviously fake, others selling teatowels et or chugging for charities. But I’m still interested to know why it was assumed this specific one was a scam since the charity behind it is obviously genuine?

[simon69]

Needcoffeenow, this happened to me. I contacted TackleAfrica and guess what? They told me themselves it was a scam and has been going on for ages. They haven't organised a fundraising tournament for several years.

Dont believe me? See it for yourself:

https://www.facebook.com/tackleafrica/p ... 956506598/

If you want to encourage youngsters into fraud and deception at such a young age go for it