Police are warning Dundee residents to be vigilant after an elderly woman was targeted by bogus workmen for a three figure sum of money.
The woman, who lives in the Fintry area of the city, paid the men to carry out work on her shed, but despite handing over the money, the repairs were never completed.
It is also understood that some items were stolen from the shed.
Police Scotland’s Tayside Division is now Dundonians to be on their guard against bogus workmen who arrive unannounced at their door and offer services such as building work and repairs gardening work, the removal of rubbish, or general tidying up.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “This is a despicable crime targeting an elderly person in their own home and we would urge anyone with any information about this incident to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
The crimes tend to target the elderly and more vulnerable members of the community.
Every year, Tayside Division receives complaints from householders who have been left out-of-pocket due to so-called workmen who vanished, leaving jobs half-done, or badly finished, typically having received a large cash sum in advance.
With no contact details, contract, invoice or business card, the victim has no way of tracing the workmen or so-called company.
There are also bogus callers who knock at a door – claiming to represent a company or authority – with the sole intention of conning their way in, distracting the householder and stealing from them.
