Midcheshire Independent Issue 190

9 APRIL 2026 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk CHESHIRE Police has issued a warning to young people to be on their guard over a social media scam. Teenagers and students are being targeted on social media with so called ‘lucrative’ oppor- tunities to get rich quick, which are actually very likely to make them lose money quick. Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit is aware of reports from teenagers who have been conned out of hundreds of pounds or tricked into ‘money muling’ – laundering crimi- nal funds through their own bank accounts – on the promise of easy money. The scammers place ‘job adverts’ on social media, generally on TikTok, to make initial contact with victims before they are invited into a WhatsApp chat. They provide their bank details and are paid a small amount, normally £5, for liking an online video before the conversation moves to messaging service Telegram. They are then given ‘jobs’ as either traders or cashiers. Traders are asked to complete several tasks earning £2-3 each time and their earn- ings appear to be accumulated in an investment or cryptocurrency account. In order to receive the funds, theymust pay a release fee of between £80 and £300 to account details provided by the fraudsters. Some vic- tims have made two or three payments before they realise that they have been tricked and will never see any money. Cashiers are encouraged to provide their bank account details and falsely believe they are working for TikTok. They receive funds, which appear to be the ‘release fees’ paid by other victims, before pass- ing these onto the fraudsters’ accounts, while also paying £5 ‘reward’ payments to unsuspect- ing victims joining the scam. Allowing their accounts to be used in this way constitutes ‘money muling’, which is a criminal offence. PC Jim Day, from Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “Despite what some ‘influencers’ profess online, there are, unfor- tunately for us all, no get rich quick schemes. “If it sounds too good to be true, then it’s usually a scam. Online fraudsters have con- tinued to become increasingly sophisticated in the ways that they target victims, particu- larly teenagers, to gain their trust and trick them into parting with their money or allow- ing their bank accounts to be used to launder criminal funds. “If you’re bombarded by stories of influ- encers and others making money online, it’s understandable that youmight begin to believe them. These scams lure you in on the promise of easy money but prey on you and leave you significantly out of pocket or at risk of fur- ther consequences. “We urge teenagers and their parents or car- ers to be alive to the risks of such scams and to steer well clear and avoid being taken in.” Incidents can be reported to Report Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for cyber- crime and fraud, on 0300 123 2040 or by vis- iting its website https://www.reportfraud. police.uk/ TATTONPark is set to wel- come a very special visitor to the estate this Easter. The popular Cheshire attraction will host a Miffy- themed Easter experience from April 3-6 – celebrating 70 years of the globally loved children’s character. It will make up part of a wider ‘Easter Adventures at Tatton Park’, running from March 28 to April 19. Families can take part in fun easter trails with Miffy across the estate with chocolate rewards over the Easter weekend. Musical and interactive storytelling will also bring classic Miffy stories to life for children. Caroline Jackson, market- ing manager at Tatton Park, said: “We’re delighted to wel- come Miffy to Tatton Park this Easter as she turned 70 last year. “Miffy is an iconic, interna- tional character whose stories have spanned decades and still as popular today as it was when she was first drawn in 1955 by Dick Bruna. “This event is a wonderful way for families to explore the Gardens, Farm and Mansion together while celebrating the arrival of spring in a fun and accessible way.” Children can go on a scav- enger hunt in the attraction’s gardens, searching for signs of spring, enjoying playful activities, and taking in the seasonal sights, sounds and smells. On the farm they can meet Miffy’s animal friends and help her prepare for a special Easter picnic, learning about rural life along the way. The adventure continues inside the mansion, where families can discover colourful treasures, she has collected throughout her spring- time journey. Designed especially for pre‑school and early‑prima- ry‑age children, the event blends storytelling, outdoor play, and seasonal discovery. Easter visitors can also enjoy Tatton Park’s popular lambing week at the farm from March 28 to April 5 (closed Monday). The Giant Wheel Co is returning to the Stableyard, offering garden and parkland views from a 30-metre obser- vation wheel. And a pop-up Easter market will be held in the Stableyard, featuring fami- ly-friendly activities such as a glitter artist. BUS passengers travelling between Macclesfield, Alder- ley Park, Wilmslow and Manches - ter Airport can now benefit from more frequent and better-con- nected services. Cheshire East Council has delivered enhancements to the 130 service – which it says now provide bet- ter access to Maccles- field and Wilmslow railway stations. And a new150Mon- day to Friday service has been described as “a significant improve- ment”, offering faster connections between both towns. With funding from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, the council says it is working to making bus travel more accessible. The new 150 ser- vice that has been introduced connects Macclesfield and Wilmslow railway stations via Alderley Park. And the 130 will now stop at Wilmslow railway station with an improved Satur- day service. Together, services 130 and 150 provide buses up to every 30 minutes between Macclesfield and Alderley Park onMon- day to Friday. There are now quicker journey times fromMacclesfield rail- way station to Alder- ley Park – from 25 minutes on the 130 and from 20 minutes on the 150. Journey times from Wilmslow railway sta- tion to Alderley Park have also improved – from 23 minutes on the 130 and from 18 minutes on the 150. And the 130 service continues to serve Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport with onward connec- tions to Greater Man- chester and beyond. Mark Goldsmith, who chairs the coun- cil’s highways and transport committee, said: “These enhance- ments really open up transport connec- tions to the northern part of our borough. We expect to see a big take up for both of these services, espe- cially with the vastly improved connections to Alderley Park. “These improve- ments mean better access to employment, healthcare, education and transport hubs. “The new connec- tions to Macclesfield andWilmslow railway stations in particular will bring a huge ben- efit to residents, com- muters and businesses alike. Additionally, we are always looking to improve connections to the airport, which these positive changes will also provide. “This demonstrates how our bus network continues to grow, with more buses, car- rying more passen- gers, who give high satisfaction ratings for their journey. So, if you haven’t used a bus lately, then give it a go.” For the latest time- table information and journey planning, visit: www.dgbus. co.uk or www.high- peakbuses.com Making stronger connections Alert after teens targeted by social media scammers Seasonal fun: Children taking part in Easter events at Tatton Park (Photo credit: Tatton Park) Miffy’s Easter promises to be a Tatton cracker