⚠️ NEW ALERT: The ‘Helpful Stranger’ AI Scam

Bexley Watch has been made aware of a sophisticated new scam circulating on social media that targets our community’s spirit of helpfulness.

While we often pride ourselves on being one of London’s safest boroughs by looking out for one another, fraudsters are now using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to turn a simple act of kindness into a high-tech robbery.

How the Scam Works

The "Helpful Stranger" trap usually happens in busy public areas like Bexleyheath Broadway, local train stations, or supermarkets.

1. The Approach: A stranger (often appearing vulnerable or elderly) approaches you, claiming their phone is "glitching" or they can’t get a video call to work. They ask you to hold the phone or "fix" a setting.

2. The Capture: While you are looking at the device, the camera is secretly recording your face in high definition, and the microphone is capturing your voice as you speak to them.

3. The 'Clone': Using AI software, scammers use these few seconds of footage to create a "Deepfake"—a digital clone of your face and voice.

4. The Sting: They then contact your family members or friends (often via WhatsApp or a video call), appearing and sounding exactly like you, claiming you’ve been in an accident and need money urgently.

Is it Verified?

While some viral videos dramatise the speed of "fingerprint stealing," the Metropolitan Police and Cyber Crime units have confirmed that Voice and Video Cloning is a rapidly growing threat. Scammers only need a few seconds of clear audio and video to impersonate you convincingly enough to trick a worried relative.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Neighbours

• Keep your distance: If a stranger asks for help with their phone, suggest they visit a nearby shop or information desk. You can help without physically handling their device or looking directly into their camera.

• The 'Family Password': We strongly recommend all Bexley residents set up a secret "safe word" with their family. If you ever receive an emergency request for money, ask for the safe word. If they can’t provide it, it’s an AI scam.

• Verify the source: If a "loved one" calls you in distress from an unknown number, hang up and call them back on their regular, saved mobile number.

• Report it: If you encounter this in Bexley, please report it to Action Fraud and notify your local Neighbourhood Watch coordinator so we can alert the rest of the street.

Stay vigilant, Bexley. Let’s keep our community safe from both old-fashioned crime and new-tech scams.

 

​Scam Alert: Don’t Fall for This Fake ‘Cloud Storage Full’ Email

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A new phishing scam is currently hitting UK inboxes, masquerading as a "Delivery Status Notification" or a storage alert from Google. It’s a clever attempt to trick you into handing over your payment details or login credentials.

We’ve already reported this to report@phishing.gov.uk, but here is what you need to look out for to stay safe.

The Anatomy of the Scam

The email uses several tactics to create a sense of urgency and legitimacy:

• The Fake Warning: The email claims your cloud storage is 100% full and that your "access is at risk," threatening to pause your emails and file syncing.

• The "Bait": To make the offer tempting, it claims an "80% Loyalty Discount" has been applied to an upgrade.

• Official Branding: It uses the familiar Google Cloud/Drive logo and colours to appear authentic at a glance.

Why We Know It’s Fake

If you look closely at the screenshots, the red flags are everywhere:

1. The Sender Address: The email claims to be a "Delivery Status Notification," but the actual sender address is a random string of characters from a Hotmail account (aqhc1dxpetam0410yan@hotmail.com). Google would never send storage alerts from a Hotmail address.

2. Conflicting Info: The subject line says "Delivery Status Notification (Failure)," which has nothing to do with cloud storage limits.

3. Language Errors: Your email provider even flagged that the message appeared to be in French, despite the text being in English—a common sign of "masking" used by scammers.

4. Suspicious Company Name: The footer credits "2026 Cloud Storage Systems Inc." rather than Google or Alphabet.

What You Should Do

• Do Not Click: Clicking "Get More Storage" will likely take you to a fake payment page.

• Report It: Forward any similar emails to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk.

• Check Locally: If you are worried about your storage, go directly to one.google.com or check your settings in the official app. Never follow a link from a suspicious email.

How to spot a WhatsApp scam

Messages promoting a sham service called 'WhatsApp Gold' are recirculating. This scam claims to offer special features to users that can be unlocked by clicking a link – instead the link leads to malware being downloaded onto your device.

To help you stay protected, our experts have rounded up the most common scams you're likely to come across on WhatsApp, plus their tips on how to spot and report them. 

Source: Which? (10 Feb 2026) 

App store scam warning

Fraudulent apps have been found on Apple's App store, using a legitimate company's identity to bypass security checks and attempt to harvest people's personal data.

We examined the scam apps and explain what checks you should do to avoid downloading one to your device. 

Source: Which? (18 Feb 2026) 

Don't get conned on Booking.com

Our scams expert, Faye Lipson, spoke to a Booking.com customer who paid around £860 to book a villa in Malta, which turned out to be a fraudulent listing.

Booking.com promised to refund them, but after seven months of trying to get their money back, the customer was still out of pocket. Find out what happened when Faye stepped in, plus how to protect yourself against holiday scams.

Source: Which? (19 Feb 2026) 

Local Priorities House burglary Message

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding House burglary, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

Dear Residents of Joydens Wood. To make you aware there was unfortunately a Burglary on Joydens Wood Road on 18/02/2026 at approximately 17:00. Also in the early hours of 19/02/2026 there was an Attempted Burglary on Brackendene where the offenders were scared off by a barking dog. Please remain vigilant in the area and report any suspicious behaviour to Police

A police investigation is currently taking place in relation to these two incidents.

Burglary is a particularly invasive crime that can have a lasting impact on victims. If you have been a victim and need support and help, you should have been offered the services of Victim Support. You may have declined at the time, or not noticed the offer, but can refer yourself at any time by either calling 0808 168 9111 or visiting their website www.victimsupport.org.uk. 

Burglars do not want to get caught, so taking action to make your home or business premises safe and less attractive to thieves can go a long way to reducing the risk.

Not all advice, or security products recommended are the same, or necessarily fit for purpose. 

If looking to take positive action to prevent yourself from being a victim of this type of crime, help and advice can be found on the Neighbourhood Watch website.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.kent.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Get Involved

Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey.  We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on.  Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 

Source: https://www.mycommunityvoicekent.co.uk/Alerts/A/401417/Local-Priorities-House-burglary-Message

Bexley SNT – Successful Execution of Two Section 8 PACE Warrants – Erith Industrial Estate

On Thursday 12 February 2026, officers from Bexley Safer Neighbourhoods Team executed two Section 8 PACE 1984 warrants at separate units on an industrial estate in Erith.

These warrants were carried out in partnership with the Environment Agency, HMRC, London Fire Brigade, DNA Selector Dog teams, and BT’s cable theft unit, reflecting a strong multi-agency approach to tackling organised criminality.

Following extensive searches across both premises, officers recovered:

One stolen vehicle, and a second vehicle that had been stripped for parts.

Approximately £35,000 worth of Class A and Class B drugs, indicating clear evidence of drug supply activity.

Three individuals were arrested at the scene, and enquiries remain ongoing.

In addition, two of the buildings were found to present significant ongoing criminal and safety concerns. As a result, both have been issued with Closure Notices and will remain closed for a period of three months.

This operation demonstrates the continued commitment of Bexley SNT and partner agencies to disrupting organised criminality, targeting local priorities, protecting communities, and improving safety across the borough.

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/398364/Bexley-SNT--Successful-Execution-of-Two-Section-8-PACE-Warrants--Erith-Industrial-Estate