Police in north-east Fife are appealing for residents to be on their guard against bogus workmen.
The warning follows reports of a fraudulent scheme in Cupar. Officers in the town are dealing with a scam in which two men purporting to be legitimate builders attended unannounced at a property in Maitland Drive and convinced the elderly resident to have some roofing work carried out.
The suspects requested cash up front and were handed a substantial sum before leaving, claiming they would carry out the roofing work the following day.
Sergeant Gary Combe, from Police Scotland, said: “Inquiries have been instigated into the report of a bogus workmen-type fraud in Cupar.
“I can confirm that at about 10.40am on Tuesday, two men attended at an address on Maitland Drive, Cupar where they defrauded the elderly resident of a four-figure sum of cash, in the pretence of doing some building work.
“This is a despicable crime where the culprits focus on, and often take advantage of, people’s vulnerabilities. On this occasion an elderly resident has parted with a significant sum of money.
“We are warning members of the public about this type of crime and urging them to be on their guard over similar offences.
“I would urge anyone to report any persons they believe are committing crimes of this nature to Police Scotland and, in particular, to report individuals who attend their properties as ‘cold callers’, seeking to carry out building work, who cannot provide identification or they believe are bogus workmen.”
One of the suspects is described as being in his early forties and the other in his twenties, both of slim build and with Scottish accents. It is believed the men departed the scene in a white Transit-style van.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.