Couple in their 80s conned into believing they were helping undercover police ... trends now
A vulnerable couple in their eighties were groomed by fraudsters into believing that they were part of a major undercover police operation - which necessitated them buying a £44,000 Rolex.
The elaborate con is understood to have so deceived the elderly pair that they were convinced they had to spend their life savings on the costly watch - and were captured on CCTV as they went to a luxury jeweller to hand over the money.
Instead police were called in as jewellery store workers became concerned that the couple were being controlled by a gang who had groomed them - and officers are now investigating.
Spencer Dyer, who owns the store they were sent to by their gang masters, told MailOnline: 'There are some despicable people out there who want to take advantage of elderly people.'
The bizarre crime bid was uncovered last month - and is thought to be a new form of the fraud known as 'cuckooing' where criminals target older people still living independently and move in on them to start taking their savings.
Staff followed the couple from the store as they thought they were vulnerable and might be victims of a scam
Mr Dyer, who runs BQ Watches in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said alarm bells began ringing with his staff when the couple booked an appointment at his store in the leafy commuter belt town.
He said: 'They just did not seem the type who would be paying thousands for a watch. They knew what they wanted, but considering how much they were spending did not seem that knowledgeable.
'They were also two hours later for the appointment and something just did not seem right. '
The couple told staff the watch was an investment for their grandson, but when they tried to complete the purchase their credit card was declined due to lack of funds.
Mr Dyer said his staff were suspicious of the pair as they said they were from Oxford and were staying overnight at a Travelodge hotel.
The couple, in their 80s, were captured on CCTV as they went to a luxury jeweller to hand over the money
The Travelodge where the elderly couple stayed overnight
'A couple of my staff followed them from the store to a Pizza Express as they thought they were vulnerable and might be victims of a scam.
They called the police who came out and spoke with the couple who assured the officers they were fine and nothing was wrong.
'But there was just something that did not sit right.'
Mr Dyer said the couple – who MailOnline are not naming – returned the following morning and due to problems with their credit cards took over three hours for the purchase to be completed.
The couple took a taxi back to their hotel where Mr Dyer followed in his car and again called police.
'They had this very expensive watch, but did not seem that concerned about it. I was worried they could be robbed or that someone was making them to do this.
' I just had a sixth sense about all of
