Heartless scammers have targeted vendors and lured them in with fraudulent claims of an Easter event at a community centre.

The con claimed that Frecheville Community Centre on Churchdale Road centre is set to host an Easter event on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March and asked traders to put down deposits for stalls. 

Vanessa Oakes, a trustee of the centre, said: “We’re worried, concerned, that we could get there and there be a whole fairground turn up, you just don’t know.”

The community centre first became aware of the scam when their Facebook profile was contacted by a coffee vendor from Leeds on 21st February.

They had been emailed by the scammers who were attempting to advertise and sell a two metre by two metre stall space, a six-foot table, and two chairs for £55 for the two-day event. They have also asked if vendors need clean water, main powers or vehicle access.

The scammers are claiming to be verified by the Nationwide Caterers Association and have asked vendors if they have public liability. 

Ms Oakes said: “If they want electrical hook-ups that’s extra, if they want to hire a table and chairs it’s all extra, so they’re really going to town with it.”

Frecheville Community Centre currently don’t know how many vendors have been contacted or if any have sent money to those responsible.

Trustees from the community centre will be stationed there from nine o’clock on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March to greet any vendors who may be expecting to take part in the event. 

Warnings of the fraudulent activity have been posted to Sheffield Community groups on Facebook, but Ms Oakes, said that vendors further afield still may not be aware of the scam. 

All future events will be posted to main Frecheville Community Centre Facebook page. They will not approach vendors via email.

This incident has been reported to South Yorkshire Police, who have passed it onto the fraud team. Anyone who has been approached by these individuals should contact the police.