Traders are parcel trickster victims

Eclipse Hair Designs and the Thomas A'Becket pub, both in Rectory Road, Tarring, and Escape Beauty Rooms in Salvington Road, Durrington, were conned into handing over cash on Monday by a man pretending to be a courier with an urgent parcel.

The trickster said the parcel was for a neighbouring shop, which was closed, and asked them to pay the delivery charge. But the parcel actually only contained lined writing paper.

In all cases, the shops were telephoned first from the conman, who pretended to be from the closed shop and asked if they could accept the parcel on his behalf when the courier arrived.

According to the police, one business in Arundel, four in Littlehampton and one in Shoreham have also fallen foul to this parcel scam since February 9. Diane Young, owner of the Eclipse Hair Designs, said they were telephoned at 4.40pm by a man claiming to be the husband of Maureen Ross, who owns Fantasia Fancy Dress in Rectory Road.

"He said they were on their way back from Bournemouth and were having an urgent parcel delivered and could we take it. He said we would have to pay. We never queried it because we are all in business in this little area and we look after each other. About five minutes later, a young man dressed in black came into the salon and gave us an A4 envelope.

"He said if we didn't take it and pay for it, Mrs Ross would have to pay double to get it. He said it would be 59."

But this was all a lie '” when Mrs Young took the parcel round to Mrs Ross she said she had not been expecting anything.

Ryan Mayo, licensee of the Thomas A'Becket pub, was asked by the same man to pay 75 for an important parcel for the owner of Becket Barbers, in Rectory Road, which was also closed.

Mr Mayo said: "I was duped, but usually I pick up on these sorts of things straight away. He seemed genuine and what really annoyed me is he played with the friendships the businesses around here have."

Sheena Wells is a receptionist at her daughter Louise Davis' business, Escape Beauty Rooms, in Salvington Road. Again, Mrs Wells had a telephone call on Monday, but this time it was from a man pretending to be owner of a nearby fish and chip shop, who asked her if she could accept a parcel from a courier.

She did and handed over 69. "I was really upset when I discovered it was a scam."

The courier has been described as aged about 30 years, with short dark hair and, usually, carrying a bag.