Estate agents and letting agents are warned to be on their alert for a man called David Watmuff.
Be aware that this may not be the name he uses. He has apparently previously used pseudonyms such as Witchell and Watmill.
We have reason to believe that Watmuff, who served seven years after a con involving Prince Charles’ Poundbury development, may now be operating in Lincolnshire, and further north.
We last warned of Watmuff in December 2008 after he approached agents in Bath and then apparently moved on to Newcastle where he again approached agents.
Posing as a wealthy buyer, he may put in an offer on a large and expensive house or estate. It is likely he will say that funds are in place.
As a tenant, he may say he is acting for a corporate client wishing to rent properties, or he may appear to be interested in buying investment properties.
Estate Agent Today has also spoken to one of his victims who says she was conned into buying property which he said he would manage.
In his mid to late fifties, he is described as good-looking, tall, well-spoken and charming – and extremely plausible.
At his trial, he was described as a Walter Mitty.
If you google for ‘David Watmuff’ you will discover more about this man.
Please make sure you pass on any concerns immediately to police.
Agents warned to be on alert for conman Watmuff
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Comments
This looks like a completely new story to me. Different places mentioned and if you look on the EAT story of two years ago, someone's added a new comment a few days ago. Google Watmuff together with the word Poundbury
Nothing to do with me I have to say but I have heard that he has been up to his old tricks again.
Yes
is this a glitch or was exactly the same story published 2 years ago?
Taff
Yes you are missing something, "Estate Agent Today has also spoken to one of his victims who says she was conned into buying property which he said he would manage".
Google him, makes interesting reading. If nothing else it will save you time should you cross paths.
Am I missing something? So he "puts in an offer on a large and expensive house or estate" and will likely "say that funds are in place". I can't see what he gains from this, apart from wasting an agents time if that agent hadn't checked that he actually had the funds in place. If lying to an estate agent was a criminal offence, I'd have the local nick on speed dial.