Host warns of scammer targeting pubs

A Stockport licensee has warned fellow hosts to be on their guard against a scam artist asking for a loan of £800.

Karl Guare, licensee at the Royal Scot, in Marple Bridge, Stockport contacted the MA after receiving a call promising a birthday party booking from a man, who then askied for a loan of £800, to be repaid later the same day.

Guare said he knew of at least one other licensee in the town who had been contacted with this "offer".

"I've been in the trade of 35 years, and I sussed the guy very quickly, but it was a pretty convincing con," he said.

"The man claimed to be one of my customers, and said he needed to urgently organise a party for his wife's 40th that night, and that he would bring 20 or 30 people along. He said he would pop in at 5pm to drop off the cake and presents, and then added that a friend of his was selling his business and had two vans to sell for £3,000.

"He asked if he could borrow £800, and he would return it later the same day when he was dropping off the cake for his wife's party, along with an extra £200 for my trouble. That's when I hung up."

The man had a Scottish accent, and went by the name of Iain. A man matching this description also called another pub in the town, and made the same request. Fortunately neither licensee believed the caller.

• Have you been hit by a scam? Email trzzn.zpxraan@jvyyvnz-errq.pb.hx​.​