OAP is robbed by slick rogue traders
Hunt after woman, 76, conned over two-day period
Two rogue traders were this week being hunted by police after they callously robbed a 76- year- old woman at her home over a two-day period.
The slick crooks targeted the pensioner and she was persuaded to pay for cleaning her gutters on Tuesday, October 18, around 11am.
She was again persuaded further work was needed to be carried out and whereby paid for the alleged additional work to be carried out.
Not content with conning her out of money on one day, the thieves returned a day later at which time another sum money was paid by the victim.
The offences took place at the woman’s home in Arran Road, Motherwell.
Police have released descriptions of both men they believed were responsible for the con.
The first man is described as white European, aged between 25 and 29 years of age, six feet tall with short dark brown hair.
He was wearing a blue fleece and dark trousers.
The second male was described as being white European, 25 to 29 years of age, 5ft 5 tall, wearing blue fleece, dark jacket and dark coloured beanie hat.
Police Scotland have also issued advice on rogue traders.
It states: “Rogue traders usually cold-call, claiming to be workers offering to sell services, make repairs or carry out work on your house, garden or driveway. In reality they charge inflated prices for shoddy or unnecessary work.
“They may tell you the work is urgent and needs to be carried out immediately.
“They will normally ask for payment there and then and may offer to come to the bank with you if you don’t have the cash at hand.
“If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door. Don’t feel embarrassed - genuine callers expect you to be careful.
“Only let callers in if they have an appointment and you have confirmed they are genuine.
“Always ask for identification badges of anyone you answer the door to, but don’t rely on them. Identity cards can be faked – phone the company to verify their identity.”
If you have any information in relation to this incident or know who may be responsible then contact can be made direct on telephone number 101 or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.