Bogus roofers conned an 86-year-old man out of hundreds of pounds before quick-thinking bank staff stopped him handing over even more cash.
Conmen got the OAP to hand over money by claiming he had a leak in his roof.
But, when they demanded a further £500, the man’s bank put a halt to the callous scam and alerted cops.
Inspector Kayley Teasdale, from Renfrew, Johnstone and the villages community policing team, blasted the crooks and said her officers are working to bring the crooks to justice.
She said: “This was an incredibly cruel crime that targeted a vulnerable pensioner in his own home.
“This sort of activity will not be tolerated in our community and we are working hard to identify the person responsible.”
The incident happened on Thursday around 3.15pm in Bridge of Weir.
It is understood three men arrived at the pensioner’s house in a white van and offered to carry out work.
He initially gave them £720 before his bank stepped in to stop him withdrawing a further £500.
Police are probing the incident and are carrying out road checks in the area, as well as speaking to neighbours to offer advice.
Inspector Teasdale added: “We would urge people to be wary of any people attending at your door without prior notice.
“The vast number of reputable companies will not canvass for business by going door to door.
“The most common types of work offered by bogus workmen are roofing and gardening.
“Always check out the legitimacy of a business by checking as best you can by reading reviews online.
“Only commit if you are 100 per cent happy to have work carried out.”
She added: “I would also ask people with vulnerable or elderly friends or relatives to makes sure the appropriate measures are in place to protect them from bogus workmen.”
Express readers with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
