A teenage boy asked a woman in her 80s if he could get his ball back from her garden before stealing more than £200 from her.
The elderly woman, who lives in Swansea , allowed him into her garden by using a side entrance after he called at her house at around 6pm on Wednesday, March 20.
The teenager, who is described as around 14 years old and white, asked the woman to follow him as he claimed he didn't like to enter other people's property.
He then distracted her by claiming to have spotted a kitten and left suddenly.
The woman later noticed that more than £200 had been taken from inside her house.
Terrified teenager came down from bath after hearing door open, to find strangers in her living room
South Wales Police is urging other residents to be vigilant and to keep an eye on their neighbours.
Detective Constable Leanne Lancaster said: "Distraction burglars often prey on people they perceive to be vulnerable, and take advantage of people’s kind and trusting nature.
"We don’t want people to be alarmed, but I would ask them to be vigilant and to also look out for neighbours and loved ones.
"Homeowners should be wary of uninvited callers, particularly those who claim to have a need to enter the address, and legitimate callers won’t mind being asked to wait outside the property while you verify who they are with their employers.
"I’d urge anyone with concerns about suspicious callers, or anyone who witnesses people acting suspiciously to contact police via 101, or 999 in an emergency."
