The police department released images of the suspect, a man reportedly in his 30s, who allegedly approached the victim on December 30 at his home in Surbiton, southwest London, claiming to be from the country’s National Health Service (NHS). )
The suspect allegedly went on to stick the woman in the arm with what she described as a dart-like instrument and demanded the payment of £ 160, which he said would be reimbursed later by the NHS.
On Monday, the man went to the woman’s house a second time and asked for another £ 100, police said.
London city police said it was not yet known which substance was injected into the woman, if any, but that she was examined in a hospital and had no adverse effects.
Detective Inspector Kevin Ives described the incident in a statement as “a disgusting and totally unacceptable attack on a member of the public who will not be tolerated”.
About one in 50 people in England now have the coronavirus, according to the country’s medical director, Chris Whitty.