Conmen in £5k maggot scam

BOGUS workmen conned an elderly couple out of thousands of pounds after showing them maggots and claiming they had found woodworm in their roof.

The pair, from Montrose, Angus, were targeted last month but a similar call was made to an elderly couple in nearby Kirriemuir on Wednesday.

The bogus workmen knocked on the Montrose residents’ door and said they had noticed loose slates on their roof. The victims were later shown the ‘woodworm’ and they handed over £5,000 for repairs.

The Kirriemuir couple’s bank intervened after becoming suspicious about their request to withdraw £3,000.

Police said five men were involved in the Montrose fraud and two men had approached the Kirriemuir couple.

Angus Council Trading Standards said: ‘When you get an unsolicited caller at your door, on the phone, or get an approach via email, just say no.’