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Police Charge Man Accused Of Scamming 92-Year-Old With Fake Vaccine

Police Charge Man Accused Of Scamming 92-Year-Old With Fake Vaccine

The woman was charged £160 for the jab

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A man accused of administering a fake Covid-19 vaccine to a 92-year-old woman has been charged.

David Chambers is accused of jabbing the woman in Surbiton, London, on Wednesday 30 December - before charging her £160 and returning on 4 January to try and get a further £100 from her.

The 33-year-old has been charged with two counts of fraud by false representation, assault by beating, and two breaches of Covid-19 restrictions on movement.

Police have warned the public that vaccinators will never ask for cash.
PA

He denied all charges at Westminster magistrates court on Friday (15 January) and was remanded in custody until a hearing on 12 February.

The victim told cops she was given an injection with a 'dart like implement' and was then asked to hand over £160, which the fraudster told her would later be refunded by the NHS.

City of London Police said it was not known what the woman was actually injected with, but she was checked over at hospital and showed no ill effects from whatever it was.

Police released this image to try and track down the alleged fraudster.
City of London Police

However, the force warned the man 'may endanger people's lives'.

Speaking last week, Detective Inspector Kevin Ives said: "This is a disgusting and totally unacceptable assault on a member of the public which won't be tolerated.

"We are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist us in identifying this man to get in touch.

"It is crucial we catch him as soon as possible as not only is he defrauding individuals of money, he may endanger people's lives."


Police also issued a warning reminding people that Covid-19 vaccinators will never ask for cash or bank details.

It said: "In the UK, coronavirus vaccines will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

"You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy local to you, to receive your vaccine. Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay."

It is important to remember that the NHS will never:

  • ask you for your bank account or card details
  • ask you for your PIN or banking password
  • arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine
  • ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, utility bills or pay slips

So far, more than 4 million jabs have been administered in the UK.

Featured Image Credit: City of London Police

Topics: Police, UK News, vaccine, Coronavirus, crime, Covid-19

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

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