Police say a fraudster attempted to swindle a vulnerable pensioner out of nearly £80,000 by falsely claiming his home required urgent repair work.
Lancashire Police opened an investigation after an elderly man in Preston was approached at his home last week by a suspect who insisted that essential roof repairs were needed. The offender allegedly took an initial £2,500 before demanding a further £75,000 to finish the job.
The victim refused to hand over any more money and alerted the police.
Chief Insp Dave Byrne called the incident “a despicable crime committed against an elderly and vulnerable man,” adding that officers were doing everything possible to identify and arrest the perpetrator.
He urged the public to stay alert to fraudulent doorstep callers.
“Rogue traders may tell you that you need urgent work on your roof, driveway, or another part of your home,” he said. “They often ask for payment upfront or claim your property is unsafe and you could be liable if someone gets hurt. The work is frequently substandard and the costs are highly inflated.
“Older adults are especially at risk, but anyone can be targeted.”
Police advised residents never to agree to home repairs from cold callers and to always obtain written quotes from multiple trusted traders before committing to any work.
Source: BBC
