A spate of distraction and deception burglaries by callous conmen targeting the elderly in Manchester have worried police and prompted stern warnings for residents to beware.
A 92-year-old man was the first victim on March 14 when he answered the door to two men at his house on Raymond Road, Northern Moor.
They claimed they needed to check his water at about 2.15pm as they were working on the plumbing of a neighbour’s house.
The elderly man was shown to his kitchen where the ‘workman’ fiddled with the tap while the other stayed on the doorstep – making a noise which the bogus official told him was nothing.
When they eventually left, the victim realised someone had been upstairs and nabbed cash from a bedroom cabinet.
Detective Constable Catherine Campbell of the Wythenshawe INPT said: “This man was duped by a cynical duo of desperate conmen.”
It is believed the pair, both white, of average build and in their mid-20s, may have targeted other people in the area that day and a white van was seen circling.
Both men wore baseball caps, one of which was white.
On Wednesday, an 80-year-old woman in Ashton-under-Lyne was conned into handing over her credit cards by a man who phoned her at around 7.30pm saying he was a police officer.
He said her credit card had been cloned so police needed them from her as part of the investigation, so he sent a taxi to her address on Kings Road to pick them up.
She handed over the package with her credit cards inside, but the taxi driver became suspicious and reported the incident to police.
It has left the woman ‘scared and confused’.
Chief Superintendent John O’Hare said: “We want to make the public aware of this scam and ask people to let their friends, relatives and neighbours know. We would never send a taxi to your home address to collect personal documents including credit cards.”
The final con again featured bogus workmen who this time preyed on a 92-year-old woman.
Between 4.50pm and 5.30pm on Thursday the victim answered the door to two men at her house on Shaw Street, Greenfield.
Like the March scam, they claimed they needed to check her water as they were working on a neighbour’s plumbing.
Again, while the victim was distracted in the kitchen, one of the offenders sneaked in and stole a purse containing cash and a wedding ring.
When they left the house the victim realised someone had been upstairs and stole the cash.
Detective Sergeant Paul Cockburn, of Oldham INPT 2, said: “This is another opportunity to remind people to be cautious when opening the door to anyone who you don’t know.
“You should put the chain on the door and ask them who they are and what they want.
“The water board has not existed for a number of years, so if they say they are from the water board then you will know they are bogus.”
Both offenders were in their 30s, one was white while the other was mixed race.
One was wearing a natural coloured raincoat and had dark curly hair while the other dressed all in black.
A white van was again seen circling the area.
Police are warning residents to be cautious if they receive any suspicious calls or requests at the door.
DS Cockburn added: “People without an appointment or identification should be treated as suspicious. Don’t let them in your home, tell them to go away and don’t be afraid to call the police if you have any concerns.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8825 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Picture courtesy of Liberal Democrats, via Flickr, with thanks.
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