A Brighton pensioner was conned by three men who pretended to be police officers investigating a burglary.
The doorstep conmen stole cash from their 81-year-old victim after talking their way into his top floor flat in Chesham Street in Kemp Town.
They were in casual tops and trousers and told the pensioner that they were police officers trying to trace £20 notes stolen in a burglary near by.
The bogus callers produced no identification but asked to see any £20 notes that the pensioner had when they called at about 1pm on Thursday (7 March).
The pensioner showed them a small grey cash box containing about £90 and the three men left but immediately afterwards the victim realised that his cash box and its contents had disappeared.
Sussex Police said that the men were all described as white, in their forties or fifties, casually dressed, about 5ft 10in to 6ft tall and speaking with local accents.
Detective Inspector Nick Chambers said: “This was a despicable theft from an elderly man and we want to find this trio as soon as possible.
“If you saw them in the Chesham Street area on Thursday afternoon, or if you can help in any other way, please contact us via 101.
“You can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
“We remind residents to be very cautious when dealing with cold callers.
“Demand to see their identification and if in any doubt try not to allow them in.
“Call us via 999 if they are there and you are not happy with them, and report any other suspicions to us at any time via 101.”
