Cops have launched an investigation after a bogus electrician stole cash from a woman's home - leaving her "terrified".
Around 9am on Tuesday morning a man talked his way inside a woman's home in Dalkeith after telling her brother he had been sent out to read her meter.
Shortly after, the man disappeared and money from a purse left in the living room had gone missing with the purse left lying open.
The electricity company has since confirmed they did not send anyone out to the home.
The woman's daughter, Kelly Dowdeswell, said her mum has been left "terrified" and is afraid to be at home alone.
The 59-year-old is also recovering from a recent stroke.
She said: "My mum is absolutely terrified being on her own. She won’t answer the door.
"I’m doing this to make others aware of people like this. As if times are not hard enough and seeing my own mother terrified is shocking she should feel safe.
"My mum has just had a stroke and had her brother staying as he’s in her support bubble.
"My mum was sleeping and someone knocked my mums door and told my uncle he was there to read the meter.
"As my mum has only moved in two/three weeks ago my uncle thought nothing of it and let him in.
"I just don't want it to happen to any other older people."
The man is described as being around 40-year's-old, of slim build with clean shaven grey hair and was wearing a Hi Vis vest with stripes and black trousers.
Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 4.10pm on Tuesday, 16 March, we received a report of a theft from a property on Place Charente in Dalkeith which is believed to have happened around 9am.
“Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 2125 of, 16 March.”
