CCTV appeal as Wolverhampton pensioner conned out of £10,000
A pensioner was conned out of £10,000 after being targeted by a bogus trader.
The conman told the woman, who is in her 80s, that she needed work done on her house in Merridale, Wolverhampton, but never carried out the job.
Police have now issued an appeal for information in a bid to catch the scammer.
The incident happened some time between October last year and March.
Police fraud teams have launched an investigation. Images of the suspect and his van have been released.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "It has come to light that an elderly woman from the Merridale area of Wolverhampton has been conned out of around £10,000 by someone pretending she needed work done on her house. The work was never carried out."
Wolverhampton councillor Wendy Thompson, who leads the Conservatives in the city, said the incident should serve as a warning to elderly residents.
She said: "People need to be careful before they get work done. They need to check that these people are reputable.
"In this day and age they need to be much more wary that there are such people around.
"It's an awful thing to do to people who are just trying to keep their houses in a reasonable condition."
Councillor Thompson added: "People do need to take care. It is always worthwhile getting a second estimate and proof of work they have done before."
Anyone with information is asked to call PC Tim Lovatt in the Wolverhampton neighbourhood team on 101 ext 871 6022, quoting crime reference 20WV/52500P/18. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called on 0800 555 111.
