A bogus caller conned an elderly Hove woman out of £1,900 by saying her roof had been damaged by the snow.
The 86-year-old victim let the man into her home in Sunninghill Avenue last Wednesday (January 20) at about 3.45pm after he told her he had fixed a tile on her roof free of charge. He then persuaded her to let him look inside her loft to look for damage following the recent heavy snowfall.
He then said the roof insulation was wet and she had a leak which would cost £1,900 to repair immediately. She went to the bank and withdraw the cash handing it over to the man. He then returned the next day saying she needed further work done to a damaged beam in the loft and this would cost £2,000.
The victim went to the bank again but the cashier became suspicious and concerned about her withdrawing two large sums of money within 24-hours and contacted the police.
The suspect is described as white, aged in his mid-30s, of medium build, with short dark hair, 5′ 10′ and wearing a black tracksuit and black trainers.
Any witnesses or anyone with information, should contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 599 of 21/01.
That is such a shame. These distraction burgalars are scum. In the recent big snow I broke out the sledge and called on the old folks down my street to offer to pick up supplies for them at the local shop. Many of the ‘oldies’ were very cautious of me when they opened the door but it was reward enough when they realised I was just going shopping.