Police issue craft fair scam warning

By Valerie Martin
Published 26th Apr 2022, 08:19 BST
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Police are warning people to be careful if offered a stall space at a craft or antique fair, following what they believe could be a scam.

Members of the public have also raised concerns that the issue may be more widespread than it first appeared.

Mid and East Antim police posted a warning on social media urging the public to be aware of what they describe as a possible scam involving a person trying to get others to sign up to a craft / antique fair at Galgorm Resort in Ballymena.

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Police say the caller said the event was taking place between May 27-29 and the cost would be £75 for three days.

Police are warning anyone offered to sign up for a place at a craft fair to be vigiliant.Police are warning anyone offered to sign up for a place at a craft fair to be vigiliant.
Police are warning anyone offered to sign up for a place at a craft fair to be vigiliant.

“The Galgorm have confirmed no such fair is taking place and has not been booked with them,” a police spokesperson said.

The spokesperson urged anyone who has been a victim of this scam to get in touch with police by calling 101, quoting the reference number 828 of 25/03/22.

However, on reading the warning, a number of people raised their suspicions about approaches they had received to pay up for stalls at similar events in various parts of Northern Ireland.

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Some of the locations the concerned members of the public mentioned were Portadown, Craigavon, Strabane and Newtownards.

One woman who had received a call said: “Think I asked too many questions as eventually blocked me. Thank goodness no money sent though - was very demanding and pushy asking for it”.