CONMAN SWIPES £8K FROM VULNERABLE PENSIONER

Victim’s bank account was raided for weeks

A vulnerable Paisley man has been conned out of thousands of pounds after being caught up in a cruel fraud.

The victim lost around £8,000 over the course of a month after a thief raided his bank account.

Police say the man, 65, who lives in the town’s Gallowhill area, discovered the month -long theft and called the cops.

The crook carried out the heartless scheme between September 28 and October 27, and the distraught victim alerted the authorities this week.

Officers probing the incident fear the man’s bank card may

have been stolen and used to empty his account.

They are now investigating the incident and have appealed for people to be aware of any suspicious activity on their accounts.

Inspector Tracy Harkins, from Paisley’s community policing team, said: “Officers are investigating after a vulnerable Paisley man lost a significant amount of money through fraud.

“Over the course of a month, a significant sum of money was taken from the man’s account and we are now making enquiries into who is responsible. This is a horrible crime involving a vulnerable man.

“We are keen to trace the person behind the fraud and I would urge anyone who may have information in relation to it, to come forward.

“I would also like to warn people to monitor their bank accounts to make sure there is no suspicious activity.

“Can I also urge people who are responsible for looking after bank accounts of the vulnerable or elderly people also keep a very close eye on transactions.

“Again, if you suspect any fraudulent activity please alert the bank and the police so it can be stopped immediately.”

Criminals preying on vulnerable or elderly people is increasing, with bogus and doorstep crime now a top priority for community officers.

In October an 84- year- old partially- sighted woman was fleeced by out of a three figure sum of cash by a bogus workman in Foxbar Road, Paisley.

And a 59-year-old woman was duped into handing over more than £ 1,000 for gutter work that was never carried out in Erskine in September.

If you have any information, you should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.