A bank cashier foiled two conmen who fooled a pensioner into withdrawing more than £3,000 from his account in Brighton.
Having scammed £3,250 from the 68-year-old man, they told him that he needed to withdraw £4,500 from another branch but the cashier became suspicious and refused to hand over the money.
Sussex Police said that it wanted to remind bank staff and residents of the dangers of being taken in by rogue traders and doorstep conmen.
In this case, which happened a week ago, the men demanded cash for urgent work to his drains.
The men called on Sunday 4 January and said that they had been carrying out drainage work at a neighbouring property.
They told him that they needed to carry out urgent work on the drainage at his home.
The next morning they called and took the man from his home in Peacehaven to his bank in Brighton where he withdrew £3,250 in cash.
Hours later he was about to pay them a further £4,500 cash at the Crawley branch of his bank. An alert cashier sensed that something was wrong, refused his request and reported it to a manager. The bank called the police.
Sussex Police said: “We remind all residents, especially the elderly or those living alone, and their relatives, not to be deceived or intimidated by cold call approaches like this.
“Never agree to anything on the spot and always look into all available information about anyone who contacts you in this way.
“Seek advice from neighbours, relatives and the police if necessary.
“This the first such call we have received recently but we are also reminding all bank staff to be wary when elderly and vulnerable account holders come in to ask for large amounts of cash from their account.
“There is nothing to stop you querying the request if you are suspicious and we are glad that in Crawley just that happened.”
Anyone who saw two men acting suspiciously in Peacehaven on the evening of Sunday 4 January or the next morning is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk.
Anyone with suspicions about this type of approach can contact Sussex Police by phone or email or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
