Fraudsters conned 84-year-old woman to hand over cash

The three conmen tricked the elderly woman after knocking on her door in Mount Gardens, Cleckheaton at 9.30am on Wednesday, October 21.

They said her roof needed repairing and quoted a price but, as she didn’t have enough cash on her to pay in full, she handed over a deposit.

The trio then left in a white van and have not returned to carry out the work.

They had previously asked to take the elderly woman to the bank to withdraw the cash in full, but she declined.

Det Cons Shaun Topham, of Kirklees District CID, said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who has seen men matching the suspects’ descriptions in the area around the time of this offence. Two of the men have walked around the property ‘inspecting’ the building and the men have spent some time talking to the victim and trying to encourage her to hand over her money.

“The victim did the right thing in asking the men to come back later when she would have a family member with her but has handed over a smaller amount of money as a deposit.

“We would urge residents to be vigilant and warn others - particularly elderly and vulnerable friends and family members - of the tactics used by these kind of fraudsters and what they should do if they receive a caller at their door.”

The first suspect is described as white, aged in his mid 30s, around 5t 8ins tall, of slim build, with dark, curly hair. He was wearing dark blue overalls.

The second is described as white, aged in his 20s, with blond hair and slightly shorter but of larger build than the first suspect. He was wearing white overalls.

The third suspect is described as white and older than the other two men.

Anyone with information about the incident, or the men involved, should contact Kirklees District CID on 101.