A woman has been sentenced after she financially extorted her victims on the streets of Brighton and Hove.
Shona Stiles, 36, of no fixed address, was arrested in Hove last Monday (November 27) following a string of frauds across the city.
Stiles approached her targets and stated she needed cash but was unable to make withdrawals as she didn’t have a bank card.
Her act was to emotionally coerce her victims into handing over the money, then pretend to immediately transfer the funds back using a fake banking phoneline and falsified transfer confirmations.
She would tell her victims stories to take advantage of their kindness, such as needing money to get a taxi for her child or trying to escape a boyfriend.
Following her stories, Stiles would take the victims to cashpoints, where they would withdraw and hand over up to hundreds of pounds, expecting it to be returned electronically shortly after.
Stiles appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (November 29), charged with seven counts of fraud, and one of theft.
She pleaded guilty to the charges and has been sentenced to 6 months in prison.
Investigating officer Santa Keise said: “Multiple victims were preyed on and had their kindness taken for granted by Stiles.
“She repeated her charade time and time again, and we believe that there may still be further victims who have been affected by her persistent acts of deception.
“You can get in touch with us and report any further information either online or by calling 101 quoting the reference: 862 of 16/11.
“We thank those who assisted our enquiries, allowing us to swiftly take Stiles off the streets.”
If you fell for this then……
On Radio 4’s You & Yours today they were discussing this particular scam that is going on around the country.
It is not a new one.
But the one described in the programme is an unusual and disturbing variation.
They are all full of stories. I just hand out cards signposting them to Emmaus, then if they are serious about getting off the streets, they know where to go for the best end-to-end rehabilitation service.
Sorry, I typed my name incorrectly.
I’ve been approached by her several times saying she is pregnant trying to escape her abusive boyfriend. Also I don’t think your a Britonian if you haven’t been approached by the overweight man wearing a thick full blonde grey wig asking for money urgently so he can get to the hospital because he’s Parkinson’s is flaring up! He has asked me over 20 times over the years. It’s sick because it’s make you cold hearted to genuine people out there. Also the beggar outside Infinity foods with the bad head scar from skull surgery has a very nice Mercedes he parks in Kemp Town and probably has a very nice house! Always offer food or even use of a phone if you wish but never ever money.
The man in the wig… is that the old guy who I think sometimes walks with a crutch or stick? His hair is quite long, like a long bob that just about sits on his shoulders. It really looks like a woman’s wig! He sits on the ground a lot outside shops, is quite smelly, and often says something really rude if you don’t give him anything.