Bogus council official conned Sheffield pensioners out of cash

A bogus council official conned Sheffield pensioners out of cash after tricking his way into their homes.
A conman stole cash after tricking his way into homes in SheffieldA conman stole cash after tricking his way into homes in Sheffield
A conman stole cash after tricking his way into homes in Sheffield

He struck in Fitzhubert Road, Manor; Swallow Wood Court, Woodhouse and City Road, Arbourthorne, on Friday after claiming to work for the council and telling his victims he needed to check their taps and drains.

Offences were reported at 1.30pm, 10.30pm and 11pm, with the conman described as being white, in his 40s, having an Irish accent and stubble.

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He was slim, around 5ft 8ins tall and was wearing a fluorescent jacket and dark hat.

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "A white man with an Irish accent reportedly knocked on doors and claimed he was from the council, before asking to check taps and drains in order to gain access to all three properties.

"At a property in Fitzhubert Road at 1.30pm on Friday, the man is believed to have asked an elderly occupant to run a tap while he checked on a blocked drain. The pensioner became suspicious when he noticed a bedroom door had been opened and entered the room to find the man searching his personal belongings. The man fled the scene with a quantity of cash.

"The same bogus caller is believed to have visited the address of a pensioner in Swallow Wood Court, Woodhouse, at 10.30pm on Friday, where it is claimed he employed the same tactics before leaving with some of her money.

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"He is also thought to have carried out a similar distraction of a vulnerable woman on City Road, Arbourthorne, at 11pm on Friday, when he took money from the pensioner’s home.

"Police are looking to trace the man, who is described as in his 40s, slim, 5ft 8ins tall, with stubble. He was wearing a fluorescent jacket and a dark hat.

"Officers would like to remind people of the importance of confirming the identity of those who call at your door."

"Anyone with information on these incidents, who may have witnessed suspicious activity or seen someone matching the man’s description, is asked to call."

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Contact South Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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