Police launch investigation after York cafés targeted by scammers

Police are hunting for scammers who are targeting independent cafés in York.

They have targeted at least three city eateries with the same scam.

On a Facebook post, the Pig and Pastry on Bishopthorpe Road explained how the con trick worked.

“The other day, at busy o’clock, some well-spoken chap calls up. Says that he bought some scones and that one of the scones was eaten by his daughter.

“His daughter found a tiny piece of sharp plastic in the scone and as she was prescribed blood thinners, bled heavily over their camper van. They were due to move on to Scarborough that night, but instead, ended up in A&E all night.

“To make up for their ruined holiday, would I like to pay for the cleaning of the campervan? Fast forward a couple of days and I find out that he’s done the exact same story to at least two other independent restaurants that we know.”

Paid £190

The Pig and Pastry didn’t pay, but one café owner ended up out of pocket due to the scam.

Florence Clifford, of the Partisan Cafe, on Micklegate, told the BBC she was on the way to hospital with a broken arm when she received the scam call.

“He said he had bought some cakes on Saturday and they were staying in a caravan and his granddaughter had a heart problem and was on warfarin,” she said.

He claimed a sharp piece of plastic in one of the cakes caused his granddaughter to bleed all over their caravan.

“He asked for £190 for valeting his camper van.”

She paid the money, and said the complaint had upset everyone in the café. Ms Clifford said she realised it was a scam when she heard of another venue being hit.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed it had received a complaint and is investigating.