Police in West Lothian are appealing for witnesses after a 91-year-old woman was targeted by bogus callers in Addiewell on Friday.
The incident happened around 10 am in Meadowhead Place, Addiewell, when workmen calling themselves Martins Tree Care attended to cut a hedge.
They refused to give a price before they started the work and then demanded an unreasonable sum when they had finished.
When the householder went upstairs for the money, one of the men entered her house.
They left in a small white van with green writing on the side.
Officers are now urging anyone with information about this incident to please get in touch.
One of the men was around 30 years old with black hair that was short at the sides and long on top.
The second man was around 50 years old, around 5 ft 7 inches tall with grey hair.
Police Constable Gary Beattie from Whitburn Police Station said: “Bogus workmen target the most vulnerable people in our society but anyone can fall foul of their criminal techniques – they are professional con artists.
“On this occasion a 91 year old woman has been charged an exorbitant sum of money for an hour’s work and we are very keen to trace the individuals responsible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
