It is not a surprise but each time, thefts by trickery mainly target elderly people who are often gullible and often isolated and cases of thefts by trickery have multiplied in the Dijon metropolitan area since the beginning of October. The police therefore remind all elderly people not to never let strangers in in their home, not to hesitate to dial 17. She also calls on those around these people to be vigilant.
A well-rehearsed scenario
The procedure takes place according to a well-established and often identical scenario. A fake water agent comes to the victims’ home. It is followed by a visit from fake police officers who claim that the man is a thief. They then ask to check that the jewelry and money are in place and they take the opportunity to steal everything during a minute of inattention on the part of their hosts. Cases were reported in Talant on October 2, rue du Maréchal Leclerc, then in Dijon rue Lecoulteux in the Montchapet district on October 23. On November 7, it was in Fontaine-les-Dijon that a fake calendar seller showed up at the homes of elderly people and then fake police officers. Another case was reported on October 8 in Talant, Allée Roger Renard. The latest was this Wednesday, November 13 in the morning, rue des buttes in Dijon with a slightly different scenario. This time it was a fake water employee who offered to help an octogenarian bring in her shopping before offering to test her water to check if there was no mercury. He asked his victim to put her jewelry in the fridge so that they would not be damaged by this operation. Obviously, he left with the jewelry and cash.
Significant harm to victims
The damage amounts to several tens of thousands of euros, but even more because, often, jewelry also has sentimental value. There is also the significant morale blow for the victims when they realize that they have been tricked and that they have allowed thieves into their home. Hence the importance for those around them to remind them of common sense and vigilance.
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