Con man operating in local area

CCTV still of con man operating in local area

A rogue con man is operating in the local area pretending to represent various organisations and sporting groups, including Rochdale Hornets, in a bid to sell advertising and lottery membership.

It is believed the man, known as David Spencer, has been visiting local businesses in an effort to sell advertising space in the club’s monthly magazine, ‘Here Since 1871’.

Hornets Director, Luke Harrison said: "We would like to assure the public, that although Spencer is convincing in his approach, he most definitely does not represent Rochdale Hornets."

This is not the first time local businesses have been fooled by Spencer’s conniving behaviour. A number of similar incidents occurred in 2016, and through discussions with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the club has agreed to follow up with a formal investigation should there be any further instances.

Mr Harrison said: “To be honest I am quite shocked and disgusted that this thief is operating in our town and using our good name, along with others, for his own personal gain. We have worked really hard to build our reputation in the community and pride ourselves on working with local businesses and developing trusting relationships so incidents like this are really frustrating.

“We believed these incidents had died out so it came as a shock to us when we were recently contacted by a local start up business who had been approached by a man, believed to be David Spencer, trying to sell them advertising in the club’s magazine.

“Let’s be clear, this is fraud and I would urge anyone who comes into contact with David Spencer, or Richard, or whatever pseudonym he is going by this week, to contact GMP on 101 and report him.

“Rochdale Hornets will not be using any consultancy based salesmen, and we would urge anyone who is approached by a salesman posing as Rochdale Hornets staff to contact GMP on 101 and report them."