Woman, 78, forced to hand over thousands of pounds at ATM

A 78-YEAR-OLD woman was forced to hand over thousands of pounds over several weeks in what is being treated by police as “extortion”.

The pensioner was approached on several occasions between Wednesday, June 17 and Tuesday, July 7 in Aberdeen city centre.

During this time, police say the victim was “hounded” into withdrawing cash from an ATM in a premises at the junction of Urquhart Road and King Street.

It is believed the money eventually ran up to a mid-four-figure sum.

The female suspect is described as white, in her late 20s, gaunt with long brown hair sometimes worn in a ponytail. She wore casual clothing.

Constable Louise Calder said: “This has been a traumatising experience for the elderly woman, who was subjected to ongoing harassment from the suspect.

“She is being supported by her family and our officers.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the King Street area between these dates and witnessed an elderly woman being approached by or withdrawing money whilst next to a woman matching the suspect’s description.

“Have you been approached by a woman in the city centre matching this description asking for money?.”

She added: “We want to make sure the people in our communities are kept safe and informed and I would urge you to speak to elderly or vulnerable family and friends to advise them of these types of incidents”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.