Police seek fraudster whose set-top box was a TV set-up

POLICE in Grimsby are appealing for help in tracing a man wanted for an "unusual" fraud after he pestered his victim into handing over more than £500 for a Freeview TV box he later removed.

A 36-year-old man was walking home from work when he was approached by a man trying to sell a Freeview box.

He initially refused to buy the device, but the man persisted until he was taken back to the victim's home in the Macaulay Street area, where he fitted the box in exchange for cash.

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A couple of hours later the same man returned to the address and demanded more money.

The victim refused, but the man repeated his demands until the householder agreed and accompanied him to a nearby store, where he withdrew more cash.

The 36-year-old thought that was the end of the matter, but the man came back the following day asking for more money.

This time the victim declined and said he had no cash or bank cards with him. However, on a further visit to the house the next morning, as the episode entered a third day, the suspect removed the Freeview box and a number of DVDs belonging to the victim.

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Police said the man is now wanted on suspicion of fraud and have released an image of the suspect.

A Humberside Police spokesman said: "This is a very unusual set of incidents in which a man in his 30s appears to have been targeted by someone clearly looking to take advantage for their own financial gain.

"It appears that this suspect has initially taken money from the victim as payment for a Freeview box, yet has then returned on a number of occasions demanding further payments.

"As part of our investigation, we are asking the public for their help in identifying a man we are keen to speak to seen in the CCTV clip as he may be able to help us with our inquiries.

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"I would ask that anyone with information relating to identity of this man or anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the Macaulay Street area during the times of the incidents to contact police right away."

The spokesman said that anyone with information about the incident, which began on February 26, can call 0845 6060 222.