London police issue appeal for 'vaccine fraudster' who swindled elderly woman

The 92-year-old was injected by Covid criminal and duped out of £160

Police are searching for a man in his early 30s who they believe could be dangerous if not apprehended. City of London Police

A man claiming to work for the National Health Service in England who injected a 92-year-old woman with a fake Covid-19 vaccine is being hunted by City of London police.

The fraudster charged the pensioner from south-west London £160 ($220) to be injected with a "dart-like implement" on December 30.

Police images of the suspect show a white man of medium build in his early 30s, dressed in a navy blue tracksuit with white stripes down the side.

The brazen criminal was even emboldened enough to return to the woman's Surbiton home to demand a further £100, but he was rebuffed.

Authorities are unaware of the substance used in the scam, if any was used at all, but reported that the woman had been taken to hospital for a check-up and showed no adverse effects.

Detective Inspector Kevin Ives called the incident "a disgusting and totally unacceptable assault on a member of the public which won't be tolerated" and appealed for information on the attacker.

"It is crucial we catch him as soon as possible as not only is he defrauding individuals of money, he may endanger people's lives," he said.

City of London Police tweeted a reminder on Friday that the NHS would be in touch with members of the public set to receive their vaccinations and that under no circumstance would they be asked for money.

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