A woman from Merton has spoken of the terrifying moment when two policemen who she claims were fake tried to enter her home.

She said that she felt "panicked" and "had a really bad feeling" when the men came to her doorstep at around 4.45am on February 1. 

TikTok user Skala Palabiyik explained in her video, viewed by 2.8 million people, that her doorbell rang and she saw someone dressed as a policeman on her doorstep.

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However, she says that when she later contacted the Metropolitan Police to ask about the incident, they told her that no police were dispatched to her address.

In the TikTok, Skala says that she buzzed the person into her building and opened her door to them because she was concerned that something might have happened to a member of her family.

 

@skalaaofficial #fakepoliceofficer #warning⚠️ #warning #southlondon #becareful #fakepolice #fyp ♬ original sound - SKALA PALABIYIK

However, she outlined from the beginning of the video that she had a bad feeling about this “police officer”.

The Metropolitan Police has said that there are occasions when people have posed as police officers, both in person and over the phone.

A spokesperson explained that this is often to trick people into giving them personal information or to defraud them of money.

Skala claimed that the supposed officer handed her an envelope addressed to someone and asked if it was her.

When she said that it was not her name, she was told by the person she claims to believe was an officer at the time that someone had taken out a bank card in that name.

Skala alleges that the “officer” then leaned in closer, which panicked her, so she shut the door on him and asked that they speak through the door.

She claims that he slid the bank card underneath her door, but she said it was not her name and slid it back.

The supposed officer is then reported to have held his police badge up to the part of her door that she could see through, which put her at ease enough to buzz in a second police officer at the door.

The Metropolitan Police has said that if you are unsure whether the person you're dealing with is a genuine police officer – stop – and call 101 to check their identity.

This second “officer” asked Skala about a van parked in her designated space which the officer said that he had found tools in.

Skala claimed that she then became suspicious as it was her understanding that police cannot go into a vehicle without permission. 

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The “officers” are then alleged to have asked who lives at her address, and Skala says sent on to say that she lives at her address with just her kids as her husband lives in another country.

They are then reported to have asked more questions and Skala added that the second police officer leaned close to her door very close to her, making her feel uncomfortable.

She said that she wanted them to leave but could not be sure if they were real police officers or not.

After the two supposed police officers left, Skala phoned the Metropolitan Police.

She claims that she was told by police that no police officers were sent to her address, confirming her suspicions that the two men were not legitimate police officers. 

Skala finished the video by warning her followers to be careful.

She said: "If someone comes to your door, do not answer the door unless you know that they are the actual police.

"There are people going around trying to see who lives where and how many people live in the house and then that house gets robbed.

"So please spread this and make sure you don't answer the door to people you don't know."

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "Unfortunately, there have been occasions when fraudsters have posed as police officers, both in person and on the phone, to trick people into giving them personal information and defraud them of money.

"If one of our officers contacts you in person, they'll show you their police warrant card.

"This is proof of their identity and authority.

"Remember if you're unsure about whether the person you're dealing with is a genuine police officer – stop – and call us on 101 to check their identity.

"In an emergency always call 999."