SHOPPERS are being warned not to fall for illegal gambling scams in Walthamstow High Street in the run up to Christmas.
Sgt Phil Steedman, of the High Street safer neighbourhood police team, says there is likely to be an increase in the number of con artists trying to lull shoppers into scams, such as the “three card-trick”, as Christmas approaches.
A typical con involves shoppers betting they can guess which cup a ball is under, but scammers often use distractions or sleight of hand to trick them.
Sgt Steedman said the scams are usually difficult to prove as a fraud, as technically an alert punter could win.
He said: “There is little or no chance of winning, our advice is not to be tempted to have a go.”
Sgt Steedman said illegal street gambling tends to become more prevalent in the High Street in the run up to Christmas as there are more crowds of people.
Police are also asking people to keep an eye out for a convicted illegal gambler who has been banned from Waltham Forest.
Lucian Nicolae, 35, of Finsbury Park, was in June convicted of street gambling without a license but granted a conditional discharge.
He was given an anti-social behaviour order preventing him from going anywhere in the borough.
Last year the council was so concerned about the problem it employed teenage magician Emmanuele Faja, of Pembroke Road, Walthamstow to demonstrate to people how they can get hoodwinked by gamblers.
Anybody seeing Nicolae, or anybody else gambling in the High Street, should call police on 8721 2035 or 07843 291115.
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