Liverpool Pensioner Targetted By Bogus Caller Who Stole Cash
Merseyside Police have issued a CCTV still of a man officers would like to speak to in relation to an incident involving a bogus caller in which a large amount of cash was taken.
Officers are warning elderly residents and their neighbours to be on their guard against bogus officials following the incident in West Kirby. Officers are investigating after a man knocked on the address of a 93-year-old woman in the Arcacia Grove area at around 2pm on Tuesday, 26 May 2015. He claimed to be collecting unpaid council tax for Wirral Council and asked for a significant quantity of cash. The man refused the occupant’s offer of payment by cheque, stating he would only accept cash before leaving saying he would return for the cash. The victim attended a bank to withdraw the cash and when the offender returned to collect the money, the victim handed it over. She did not receive a receipt. The woman, who was not injured, later reported the incident to police. Detective Constable Andrew Cullen said: “It is shameful when vulnerable members of our community are targeted in this way. The elderly woman in this incident has been left in total shock. “It is vital that people are on their guard against these types of offenders and do not open their door to anyone they don’t know. It is important to check the identity of any stranger who calls. Genuine callers will not mind waiting and should be carrying an official form of identification. “I am sure the local community would agree that this type of behaviour has no place on Merseyside and I would like to reassure the public that we will do everything possible to find the person responsible. “Information from the public is really important for our investigations and every piece of information is looked into so please come forward if you know anything about this matter. “A full investigation into this incident is ongoing and we would appeal to the man in the CCTV still, or anyone who may recognise him, to contact Merseyside on 0151 777 2260 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”