Travel Fraud Investigation

[stopwatchask]

I received an email from West Midlands Trains digital fraud team on January 6,

"We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on 14/06/2024 when you were approached by staff carrying out their revenue duties, you were asked to show your valid ticket but due to a Ticket discrepancy, Short Journey. It has been reported to the Digital Fraud Department for further investigation.

Further investigations into this matter have been carried out, including a full review of the ticket records. It would appear, at this stage, that this may be a case of fraud. "

With the standard wording of threat to prosecute under RoRA or Fraud.

-----

I engaged and provided proof of my ticket and received a response from the fraud team, stating the ticket was purchased after the departure time of the train and had not been scanned at the barriers to station entry, they were online on the date of the incident and asked me clarify how i boarded the train.

At this point, i began browsing this forum and read the detailed posts, numerous other examples people had posted of similar situations and the guidance on how best to respond.

I took the decision to respond apologizing, that it would not be repeated, understanding the impact of fair discrepancies to the railway and requesting to settle immediately out of court for fares + admin fees.

I've since been asked to confirm my address which i have and I'm now awaiting further communications.


I'd be interested to get opinions that given the date of the incident is over 6 months should I have not engaged?

I would imagine having offered to settle out of court, disengaging at this point would cause aggravation.

 

[Egg Centric]

I'd be interested to get opinions that given the date of the incident is over 6 months should I have not engaged?

Assuming that you behaved correctly since then, yup. Indeed I would stop communicating now tbh, or at least communicate very slowly and see what happens - bear in mind that they still have a week to lay papers before the court and they very well may do.

 

[185]

Assuming that you behaved correctly since then yup

Hasn't the original poster mentioned there was a missing barrier scan, which would confirm the ticket origin is wrong? If the revenue staff have observed other passengers presenting barrier scanned tickets, then this would maybe suggest a short fare by the original poster.

 

[SussexMan]

bear in mind that they still have a week to lay papers before the court

Do they? Six months from the 14th June 2024 is the 14th Dec 2024.

 

[mikeg]

Do they? Six months from the 14th June 2024 is the 14th Dec 2024.

Also do they? There is no limitation for fraud. I’d say they’d need to show it was habitual, beyond a one off dodge, but the risk is still potentially there.

 

[Egg Centric]

Hasn't the original poster mentioned there was a missing barrier scan, which would confirm the ticket origin is wrong? If the revenue staff have observed other passengers presenting barrier scanned tickets, then this would maybe suggest a short fare by the original poster.

I meant subsequent misbehaviour due to:

Do they? Six months from the 14th June 2024 is the 14th Dec 2024.

Ooops well all good then

Also do they? There is no limitation for fraud. I’d say they’d need to show it was habitual, beyond a one off dodge, but the risk is still potentially there.

Obviously not going to happen unless OP witholding a pile of pertinent facts, no matter theoretical risk.