Barrhead News | News | WARNING AFTER OAP CONNED BY BOGUE WORKMAN

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 8th October, 2008 13:00

WARNING AFTER OAP CONNED BY BOGUE WORKMAN

By Amanda Keenan

COPS are hunting for an evil bogus workman who conned a frail pensioner out of hundreds-of-pounds.

The fake workman targeted the 72-year-old pensioner in Lomond Court, Barrhead, and convinced the OAP that his roof should be repaired. The elderly man was then persuaded to hand over £300 after being told his money would be used to buy materials to repair the roof.

But the twisted thug made off with the money leaving the pensioner out-of-pocket and very upset.

Now police are treating this incident as fraud and are urging pensioners in the town to be vigilant.

A spokesman for Barrhead police said: “The elderly man has been left upset by this incident.

“We would ask people in Barrhead not to accept any offers of work from cold callers especially if the ask for money up front.

“These people deliberately target vulnerable people who are trusting and believe what they are being told.

“We would also ask members of the public who saw the man believed to be 30-40 years-old, 5’9, stocky build with fair hair in Lomond Court on October 4 to contact Barrhead police straight away.

“We are taking this incident very seriously and are anxious to speak to this man as soon as possible.”

Trading Standards bosses in East Renfrewshire Council are warning residents to ring and report doorstep callers offering to carry out work. Fraudulent workmen are targeting the area and carrying out theft and sub-standard work at over inflated prices. Paul Holland, Senior Trading Standards Officer, said “I appreciate that it can be difficult getting well established tradesmen but regardless, you should never employ a workman who chaps your door or delivers a leaflet if you don’t know them. Each year we deal with complaints from residents, particularly the elderly, who have fallen victim to fraudulent workmen. We urge residents to keep an eye out for elderly neighbours and report suspicious callers immediately.”

“Don’t employ workmen who chap your door or deliver leaflets unless you check their trading background. And make sure you have an address and a landline number.”

If you are concerned about bogus callers phone 0800 0130076.

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