Licensees tricked by BII logo scam
In the midst of The Publican's Scamwatch Month a string of licensees have come forward to tell us they have been ripped off by the Plymouth-based company PubLink UK, which offers health and safety and drugs awareness courses.
A man or woman purporting to be a BII trainer enters the pubs and offers licensees courses for £30 per person at a local school, pub or town hall.
However, after handing over the money the licensees and staff turn up to find no sign of the trainer.
All contact telephone numbers and an email given by the company do not work.
Paul Phipps, licensee of the Two Bridges in Saltash, Cornwall, was conned out of £30, when he paid to send a member of his staff on a course at his local school.
When they arrived there was no-one there.
He said: "The man was using the BII's logos on his paperwork, name badge and everything. I thought I was doing the right thing. He was happy to sit and chat in the pub for about 20 minutes after he had been paid. "
Licensee Robert Watson of Henry's in Taunton, Somerset, paid £55 to a man and woman from PubLink UK who came into his pub offering drug awareness courses.
He was planning to send two staff members on the course which he was told was being held in a function room at a nearby pub.
However, when they turned up the pub was closed and there was no sign of the trainers.
"I am always careful but it all looked so official with the BII details and everything, he showed me a portfolio of certificates" he said.
"Fortunately it was not very much money. Now that I look at it, it was stupidly cheap really."
The BII is particularly concerned that its logo is being used to convince licensees to pay for non-existent courses.
John McNamara, BII chief executive, said: "These confidence tricksters have absolutely no connection with the BII or BIIAB.
"We are very upset that they are seeking to connect themselves with our professional body and this is now in the hands of our solicitors and the police."
He added: "We urge anyone who has been affected by this to contact us on 01276 684449 or email reception@bii.org and we will help however we can."
Police say the man involved is being particularly clever in only asking for small amounts of money which many publicans will write off.
PC Baxter Provan told The Publican: "We would urge anyone who is a victim of this potential scam to call your local police."
All attempts by The Publican to contact PubLink UK have proved unsuccessful.
The Publican says:
Even though these are small amounts of money do not be put off from making complaints to the local police about such scams.
Licensees who have been affected may never see this money again but you will be helping another unwitting publican who could be fooled by such a scam.
Police description
The man involved in this scam according to the police is calling himself Gareth Moore.
He is white, aged 35 to 40, 5ft 5 in tall with a pot belly. He has short, dark hair and in one case reported was wearing a black leather jacket.
If you think you have met this man contact your local police station.
