Care homes across the country have been left devastated after being scammed out of hundreds of pounds by a fake company offering a Christmas train ride experience. The fake firm, named 'The Royal Train Ride', emailed staff at homes over the summer offering them an 'enchanting' event. It was billed as a 'Polar Express experience' based on the 2004 animated film starring Tom Hanks - although it appears the experience is offered all year round.
The homes were expecting Christmas-themed vehicles that residents could walk through. However the website for the firm has been taken down and phone lines are out of order, with staff from affected care homes unable to get through. Some care homes claimed they were notified saying the event had been cancelled and to get in touch for a full refund - but have been unable to do so. Haughgate House in Woodbridge, Suffolk, lost £100 after being approached by 'The Royal Train Ride' to set up the Christmas experience. Pip Rich, marketing manager for Healthcare Homes, told the BBC: 'The activities coordinators at the home work so hard and they are devastated by it. It's incredibly sad; it's unforgiveable. Haughgate House in Woodbridge, Suffolk, lost £100 after being approached by 'The Royal Train Ride' to set up the Christmas experience This month's proposed train rides were to have a Polar Express theme after the 2004 film (pictured) 'At the moment the focus is on making sure that the residents are happy and still having an experience to enjoy. 'It's unforgiveable that they would target care homes so raising awareness and making sure that other people don't fall foul of this scam is one of our priorities.' Shipdham Manor in Thetford, Norfolk was also targeted and lost £500 to the scammers. The money had been donated to the residential care home by a family as a thank you for the care provided to one of their relative