Police are appealing for the public’s help after a Wishaw woman was conned by a crook claiming to work for North Lanarkshire Council.
The pensioner was left badly shaken after handing over what officers described as “a large sum of money” to the bogus caller.
Between 9am and 10am last Tuesday, June 8, a man attended at an address on Stewarton Street claiming to be a council worker who was sent to fix the roof. The conman told the unsuspecting OAP that she would have to pay a three-figure sum of money for the work.
The elderlyd woman paid the money and subsequently discovered that no work had been carried out and that the man had left.
Police are asking local residents to think back to the morning who may have seen the person responsible.
Sgt Jim Mutter, from Wishaw police office, said: “At the time of the incident children would have been dropped off at school and parents returning to the Stewarton Street area may have seen the man responsible.
“He is described as white male, aged 30s, 5’ 7" tall, heavily built and wearing a khaki coloured T-shirt and fleece and cream trousers.
“There have been similar incidents reported over the past few months in the Lanarkshire area and I would ask the local community to be vigilant and phone the police if they see anything suspicious.”
If anyone has information on the man described please contact police on 101 quoting Incident 0981 of the 8th or via Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “Our Trading Standards team would like to remind householders that council employees would never knock on your door and demand a cash payment.
“If anyone comes to your door and you don’t expect the visit, remember: it’s your home. If you’re not sure, don’t open the door.”
