Council warns of fake licensing officer scamming High Street businesses

Slough Borough Council's licensing team has received a number of reports from business owners describing how they have been approached by a man who claims to be a licensing officer; who then tells them that their licence has run out, and that they must pay him in order to renew it. 

Dawa Dolma, owner of the Momoko Hair and Beauty Salon on 110 High Street, described how the scammer conned her out of £280. She said: "He was an English man - he came in, said hello, and then said how he was from the council and we hadn't paid for our licence. He said we'd been sent a reminder letter but hadn't responded."

"I was embarrassed in front of my customers. He said we had to pay a fine, £280, in cash. I ran to the Lloyds bank to get it.

"He didn't look suspicious at all. He had ID, and a big receipt book. He was not rushing, he was very calm. He shook my hand and left."

"I feel so stupid, I was so nervous I didn't think. I don't want other people to go through the same things as me, people just get nervous and scared and pay."

The con artist, who calls himself 'Chris', is described as a white man with dark hair and a beard, who was wearing a grey suit when he targeted a string of shops in Slough's High Street.

A number of shopkeepers have fallen prey to the scam, paying him £280 each. Thames Valley Police have been notified, and are investigating the incident.

Cllr Arvind Dhaliwal, cabinet member for regulation and consumer protection, said: “This man does not represent the council or the licensing team and though he may show some sort of ID, it is not proper council ID and nor does he have a warrant card, which all our licensing officers carry.

“We urge shopkeepers not to engage with this scammer and to immediately report the matter to the police if they are approached. We take impersonation of council staff very seriously and are working closely with the police to catch this man.”