Sick scammer's £1k dog con rumbled after victim records the calls and helps detectives lock him up
A man from Barrow has been jailed for trying to con £1,000 out of a vulnerable woman looking for her missing dog.
Brandon Woolveridge of Melbourne Street, Barrow pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to blackmail and was sentenced to two years three months.
The 25-year-old targeted a pet owner appealing for information on a missing dog on social media. Woolveridge found the victim's number from an online appear and rang them on September 21, asking if they were the owner of a dog called Rufus.
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When the victim said yes, Woolvridge made demands over the phone saying: "It's going to cost you £1000 to get the dog back but how do I know you won't call the police?" Woolvridge called the owner again three days later on September 24 and - but the victim recorded the conversation, aware of similar scams.
He then received similar calls and recognised the voice. Woolveridge demanded £1,000 in return for the missing pet. He demanded half the money up front and the rest when the dog was dropped off at the vets. Woolveridge refused to send photographs of the pet, saying the victim could take these to the police.
Bank details were provided to the victim and Woolveridge said he would call her back after the initial payment. Instead, the victim called the police and shared the recording.
Detective Sergeant James Aiston said: "Woolveridge was targeting vulnerable pet owners by demanding money for safe return of the pet, knowing fine well he did not have possession of the animal.
"We are thankful for the vigilance and cooperation of the victim in the case who was able to recognise Woolveridge’s voice and make recordings of the calls. We understand losing a pet can be really upsetting for people, unfortunately some people like Woolveridge will try and exploit this."
If you have lost a pet, police advise the following:
Do not send money or rewards to people without confirming the safe possession of your animal
Ask for confirmation such as a video call, photographs and full details of the persons who claim to have found your animal.
If you have any doubts or receive any threats or demands about your pet, please call Cumbria Police on 101, in an emergency its 999