Liveline opened today with the story of a particular scam that first raised its ugly head over a year ago on the same show: men posing as detectives, identifying elderly targets, and convincing them to part with money. Speaking to presenter, Damien O’Reilly, one caller called Dennis spoke about his father, who lives in County Offaly, and how he had been approached by a mysterious man after a shopping trip.
“This man … said he was a detective and he was investigating fraudulent notes, €50 notes. He asked him did he do any shopping in the local supermarket. Dad said he did, and unfortunately, he got into the house, and he took some small amount of money.”
Denis’s father is in his late 1980s, and the experience has left him somewhat shaken. He identified the con artist as a man in his 50s, driving a black car, who headed in the direction of Athlone after the incident. Although initially taken in by the conman, it was Dennis's mother who became suspicious, asking to see the man’s identification, and subsequently contacting the authorities.
“We are not sure whether he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and he just happened to meet this man. Possibly this man recognised an elderly man in a car and took the chance and followed him back. We don’t know.”
Listeners who tuned into Liveline yesterday would have heard similar stories, one of which took place in Harold’s Cross, in Dublin, 12 months ago, another in Carrick on Suir, County Tipperary. Gardaí have confirmed to the Liveline team that they are aware of all of the incidents featured on air both today and yesterday.
To listen to the full show, click here.