Another one that's maybe not trade-related, but he was approached while waiting for an airport job by the looks of it, and he was asked if he wanted to do a cab job as an opener. But I suppose the modus could easily be adapted to target anyone.
In fact it's really just a real life version of one of those scam emails that are always appearing. Fools and their money, and all that
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Cabbie conned out of £15k life savings in bogus jewellery con - cops want to speak to these menhttps://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... e-15750391The victim thought he was making a fast buck, instead he was swindled out of his life savings
Image: Manchester Evening News/Greater Manchester PolicePolice have released images of two men they want to talk to after a 'hardworking' taxi driver was duped out of his life savings in an elaborate bogus jewellery con.
The victim was promised £6,000-worth of items if he helped 'release' jewellery worth a supposed £47,000 with a £15,500 'deposit'.
But the items turned out to be worthless tat and instead of making a fast buck, the man was left thousands of pounds of out pocket.
CCTV images of two men detectives want to speak to in connection with the investigation have been released.
Greater Manchester Police said the cabbie, a man in his 40s, was first approached by a stranger as he waited in the car park of the Holiday Inn Express at Manchester Airport on Friday, April 20.
The man first asked if the taxi driver would be interested in work driving a church group around during an upcoming trip to the UK.
The victim agreed, and met up with the man three days later in the car park of McDonald's at Wythenshawe Civic Centre.
But the church group visit was never mentioned again.
The conman then started to tell the cabbie about the jewellery offer. He introduced the victim to two other men, one posing as a potential jewellery seller, the other as a potential buyer.
The victim was promised a £6,000 cut if he paid the deposit to release the precious stones - as well as his original contribution.
The taxi driver agreed and collected £15,500 from his and his wife's life savings.
He then drove to The Christie Hospital in Withington at 2pm to meet the conman, who said his dad was being treated at the facility.
The private hire driver was given some jewellery in exchange for the money, before the conman left.
He waited more than an hour in the car park for the man to return, before realising the jewellery he was holding was worthless.
The victim then called police.
Det Sgt Alex Wild of GMP’s Tactical Operations Unit said: “This was a complex and unusual con involving three offenders.
“They went to great lengths for this to appear as a legitimate transaction involving valuable jewels.
“It’s easy to think that you’d never fall prey to such a scam – but these were organised criminals who went to great lengths to appear bona fide.
“They have thought nothing of conning a hard-working man out of his life savings and we believe they may have tried the same trick on others.
“This is an in-depth investigation that has involved forensic and covert evidence gathering, some of which can take months to complete.
“However, our most valuable source of information is the general public.
“Do you recognise the people pictured? Perhaps you have been approached at the airport under similar circumstances?
“If you have any information, please get in touch with police as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 0231 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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