07467460344

This guy tricked me big time. Seriously, don't trust him for a second. All he cares about is taking your cash. I'd say contact the police right away.

Yep, that happened to me too.

The police probably won't pay much attention unless he really goes too far, but people like that are usually pretty cautious about not stepping over the line. It's clear folks already know his identity and his location.

I reached out to Staffordshire Police regarding this issue. They told me there’s nothing they can do since it falls under a ‘civil agreement’. From what the officer said, because I agreed to part with the money, it isn’t considered a criminal offence. It’s frustrating because it feels like these scammers can just keep taking advantage of people’s goodwill without facing any consequences from the police.

On Saturday 26th June, around 11.30am at Frankley on the M5, I unfortunately fell for the same scam others have mentioned. It was a silver Vauxhall with the plate VIG2342. The guy acted really polite and believable, telling a story about coming back from Belgium and needing cash to get home to Ireland to care for his kids. He even showed me his ID and introduced me to his children over the phone. The mobile number was 07721 950844, same as others reported. After I left, I had some doubts and decided to Google his number plate, which brought me here. I’ve informed West Midlands Police and Action Fraud, but haven’t heard anything back yet. Honestly, it’s not about the £100 I lost; I’m worried this sort of thing will stop others from helping genuine people in need. It breaks my heart to think those kids are being used in such a cruel way. I hope this bloke gets caught soon and pays for what he’s done.

On Saturday 26th June, just as I was about to head off, a man came up to me asking for £300, saying he needed it to catch a ferry to Ireland. He claimed he was a devout Christian, kept mentioning God and blessing me. He gave me his info - name John Donagh, phone number 07393166868, and said he drives a silver Vauxhall with the plate VIG2342. I tried ringing the number but it just rang out with no answer. Out of curiosity, I looked up the car registration and that’s how I ended up here. I'm not bothered about getting my money back; I'm more concerned about warning others so they don’t fall for this kind of scam where people’s goodwill is taken advantage of. I reported the incident to the service station and also contacted the local police officer PCSO Colin Hodgkinson. I'm a Buddhist monk and was with another monk at the time, so we stand out. If the CCTV caught the man speaking to us, hopefully staff can help identify him quicker using facial recognition. It’d be good if service station teams could be forewarned about this so they can alert police if they spot him again.

Would you mind sending me that picture? I got scammed last Saturday and ended up losing £300. I’ve already emailed Keele Services and the local cops about it, and also filed a report with Action Fraud.

I had a similar run-in too, near the Hilton Park services on the northbound M6 back on 22 May 2021. The car involved was a silver Vauxhall with the number plate VIG2342. When I looked up the phone number he gave me, I was shocked to see it been active for about three months. He did send me a photo when I asked, but the police said it wasn't much help since he was wearing a mask, and you couldn't see his full face. If the person who posted on 28/04/21 hasn’t handed over their picture to the cops yet, I’d really advise it. The police mentioned they’re trying to link all calls connected to that number. Sadly, they told me they don’t have enough leads to get a solid hold on him yet. It’s a pity, because if his phone is connecting mainly to a single mast near one service station, that could be a promising way to track him down - assuming it’s just one person behind this.

If you haven’t done so yet, please report this to Action Fraud - the more reports they get, the better chance the police have to do something about it. We need to push them a bit or this scammer will keep taking advantage of decent folk. Here’s the contact if you’re able to help: Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 www.actionfraud.police.uk

Just a heads up about this guy... I got caught out by him yesterday on the M25 services. He said his card was blocked and he needed cash for fuel, all that usual stuff. In the end, I ended up handing over 50 quid. Seriously, watch out and if you come across him, better ring the police straight away.

Yeah, this bloke totally messed me about. He was telling some story about coming all the way from Belgium to Ireland. He pulls out his kid as some kind of proof and talks about a car packed with “luggage” to make it sound real. Sounds like a proper nice guy, but nah. Keeps saying he’s all about family and a man of God too. What a con.

M1's Watford Gap services, I've had the same experience as everyone else here.

Visited Cobham services back on the 20th of May, 2021.

Just got ripped off for 250 quid at Cobham services, and honestly, it’s exactly like what others have warned about. Stay well clear of this bloke, he’s no good.

I'm with you on this, best to inform the police about it.

Had the same thing happen at the Beaconsfield M40 services. Definitely told the police about it.

Yesterday, I had the same experience.. some bloke said he was from Belgium and needed cash for petrol and a ferry crossing to Ireland.. called himself John Donnagh.. I felt sorry and gave him £250, thinking I was helping someone get home to their family.. Honestly, I hope someone eventually catches him cause he’s just messing with people’s good nature.

Right now he’s hanging about Cannock, just a bit south of Stafford, running this same con which sadly keeps working. Like mentioned before, he’s got all sorts of documents and even a kid with him to make it look legit and prove who he says he is. Watch out, he’s really skilled and knows exactly how to play the part convincingly.

This morning I got caught out by some bloke claiming to be from Stafford Services, M6, dated 28/04/21. Lost £90 to him. I swear I asked plenty of questions but he just seemed to have a reply for each one. Took a snap of both him and his car for good measure. Fingers crossed we cross paths again sometime…

On the 27th of April 2021, that same bloke was trying his luck again on the M6. Lost £70 and honestly, I felt proper daft for falling for it. Made me really question my own judgement!

Last week, I fell for this as well and lost £250. What a rip-off.

Definitely a big con, I wouldn’t put any faith in this person.

Absolutely a proper scam, got caught up in the same story as others mentioned here. He sounded urgent, with kids and a woman around him, and managed to swindle me out of £250. Thought I was just doing someone a favour in a tough spot, but after no follow-up, I checked the number and found loads of similar warnings. Wish I’d done it sooner. Lesson learnt the hard way. I’m planning to report this to Vodafone since the number’s under their network, hopefully they can put a stop to it soon. It’s not just the cash he’s taking - it’s also making people doubt genuine cries for help in the future.

Yesterday at Warwick North services, I ended up giving some money to this guy even though I was pretty certain it was a con. He rang me and gave his number, promising he'd pay me back the next day when he got back home. Can't believe I actually went along with it!

Beware of this bloke, a proper con artist taking advantage of kind folks by asking for cash to get home. He’s been stopping on motorways, petrol stations, and shops, doing this to me and also my sister at the big Tesco. Some decent person spotted him and alerted the cops. He drives a white Toyota Verso and pretends he needs money for fuel and food, promising to pay you back later. His name’s supposedly John Paul McDonagh, born 26/05/1982, about 36 years old, living at 5 Rockfield Park, Belleek Enniskillen, and his Irish number is 07467460344. The plate on his car is 6-CE-3549. If anyone comes across him, do yourself a favour and ring the police - he’s dangerous and a total scammer.

Was at Hopwood Park Service Area when some lad called John tricked me and nicked my cash. He was in a silver Vauxhall Insignia, the plate read KY65 CKJ. Proper scammer, watch out!

I got tricked into giving cash for petrol, he played on my feelings by mentioning his kids. The car's a silver Vauxhall Insignia from 2015, license plate KY65CKJ.

Honestly, stay away from this bloke, he’s a total scammer. Claims to be Irish, which would really annoy my Irish mates. He goes on about his kids and even his mum like it’s some kind of proof. The man calls himself John. Just don’t believe a word he says.