Bootle pensioner conned out of £350'000 life savings

A man's been arrsested on suspicion of fraud after a 74-year-old man from Bootle was conned out of his life savings. of £350'000

Five Warrants were executed at addresses in Greater Manchester and one 52-year-old man from Cheadle Hulme in Stockport has been arrested. Searches at the properties are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Graeme Towndrow, said: "The arrests today have been carried out following an extensive investigation by detectives from the Merseyside Police Economic Crime Team.

"Between the end of March 2016 and 25 January 2017 the 74-year-old victim was defrauded of nearly £350,000, by a number of individuals who initially targeted him by saying that work needed completing on his home and over the following months he was conned out of thousands of pounds."

"This was a heinous and despicable crime targeting a vulnerable man in his seventies, who has now lost his life's savings."

The man arrested has been taken to a police station on Merseyside, where he will be questioned by detectives.

Following the arrest today Detective Chief Inspector Craig Sumner, who heads up the force’s response to economic crime, said: "Merseyside Police is working tirelessly, and together with partners, to reduce the opportunities for criminals to defraud members of our communities.

If you have, or are being subjected to fraud, or feel like you, or someone you care for, is being scammed, please get in touch.”

DCI Sumner, who is working with National Trading Standards to increase awareness of doorstep crime amongst the vulnerable, had this advice to help prevent others from falling prey: