Virendra Sharma, MP for Ealing and Southall has launched a campaign in Asian Voice using simple language, calling on everyone to be more vigilant, to look out for each other and not be victims of scams and frauds. On a zoom interview that took place on Saturday 6 June, Mr Sharmatold this newspaper, that his family received a phone call from a scammer, trying to obtain personal information, which made him determined him to help people further from falling prey to such crimes.
Describing different types of scams,he has come across in the community, Mr Sharma said, “It’s getting the elderly people to purchase fake goods, encouraging them to make investment in fake companies, giving them the impression of making profits out of it. There are many examples not only in my constituency, but I am sure there are people in other areas as well.” He has also spoken to Indian students from 50 universities through NISAU and came across students who were victims of ticket scams, when they were being offered tickets to go back to India, with no international flights and closed border.
Mr Sharma, who recently recovered from coronavirus himself, and is still working from home, felt that reduced social interaction, isolation and dependence on online transactions during Covid-19,could have been major reasons behind the increasing number of such scams.
“People are using the different ways to scam vulnerable people. Theyare phoning around elderly people, scamming them into giving card details in pretext of collecting money for charity. My campaign is to raise awareness among vulnerable people to be more vigilant. I talk about scammers knocking on the doors, going around asking for contribution to fake charities. There is always a chance to fall prey to such scams, due to social isolation. During the last few weeks, it has increased that is why Police and everybody else are trying to encourage people not to open doors or talk or give money to strangers.”
But he also felt that Covid-19 did not stop kind people from demonstrating their inner goodness. “Covid-19 has brought us together to share the tragedy and grief together and for the society this is a learning curve. It has taught us that we need to be supportive of each other. It has brought us closer to each other. Spirit of communityand that of service have come up. This should be a permanent change for the future- the whole idea of community, service and unity,” he said.
“I am proud to have worked with Kulcha Express, who have delivered food to local frontline staff in the NHS, Police and Fire Service, and helped Vishwa Hindu SewaPariwar bring PPE to care homes in Norwood Green. Ealing Council have led London and been given responsibility for purchasing PPE for all boroughs, and not only that, they have also been the swiftest council in the country in distributing grants to eligible local businesses, with over 99.5% of funds already paid out. Our response locally has been world beating. It seems like the whole world is stepping up, and others across my constituency, TKC, VHS and Saravana Bhavan for example, have also supported thousands of people working on the frontline saving lives, or those who have lost their jobs. All the charities and businesses that have contributed and worked to save lives and help people – thank you.”
Planning to take up the matter with the Government, he concluded by saying, “My aim is how best we can stop these scams from happening. I am sure toraise questions in the House of Commons, and Ministers have to respond to that. We need authorities like the Police and the Local Councils tourgepeopleto report these scams. I have written to the Government and I will be making sure that proper actions are taken.”
