Pensioner duped out of £50,000 by conmen (From Daily Echo)
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Hampshire pensioner duped out of £50,000 by conmen
7:52pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News
By Melanie Adams, Health Reporter
Hampshire pensioner duped out of £50,000 by conmen
A HAMPSHIRE pensioner has been duped out of nearly £50,000 by two conmen pretending to be workmen from a bogus company.
The 68-year-old man handed over up to £46,500 to the fraudsters who told him that his house needed vital repairs.
They said that the money would cover the cost of them stripping the coating off the exterior of his home and renewing it.
However, police believe that this was a fictitious company created to help them convince people that these work offers were genuine.
Officers are now warning resident to check identification of callers and not to let them in if there is any doubt about who they are.
Anyone with information about the conmen who targeted the pensioner in Copnor, should call Det Con Jackie Foley on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Comments(6)
Block41row0sfc
says...
8:35pm Wed 10 Oct 12
IronLady2010
says...
9:14pm Wed 10 Oct 12
You can buy 'fun' driving Licences online, but if a pensioner has never seen one as they still have the old paper one how would they know if it were genuine.
It's easy to make up an Company ID. The advice should be NEVER deal with doorstop sellers.
Inform Al
says...
10:02pm Wed 10 Oct 12
mi76
says...
10:39pm Wed 10 Oct 12
I doubt 46k was given at one time, they would probably have scared him into paying for repairs over a number of visits and/or built up a friendship with him and made him hand over money in that way.
Georgem
says...
10:51pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Inform Al wrote:You sure do like to talk tough on that there internet, eh.
I'm 68, wish they'ed called on me. They would definately be inside now. Mind you if either of my sons were present they'ed probably have real difficulty walking now.
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=EqPAuotjk
M4
Like looking into a mirror, isn't it!
mansak_hunt says...
8:27pm Wed 10 Oct 12
68 isn't THAT old though... stay switched on, people!
ALWAYS be distrustful of anyone who comes calling at your door telling or selling you rubbish.
I don't even answer the door unless I know the caller or expect the call, otherwise - sling ya hook I don't wanna know.
Never give anyone money unless you have too, like payings bills etc.
Scrutinise statements, never trust banks