'Wicked crime' sees pensioner (93) conned in his own home
Matt Meade • Published 24 Aug 2011 09:30
11 Comments
A 93-YEAR-OLD Rosyth man had a three-figure sum stolen from his home by a cruel conman.
Police called the incident "a most wicked crime" and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
It happened on Monday morning at an address in Davenport Place.
The fraudster, who spoke with a foreign accent, claimed to know the man and persuaded him to part with the money.
He is described as being in his early 40s, around 6ft tall with a slim to medium build. He has short, black unkempt hair, with a day's growth on his face.
He was wearing a yellow polo shirt and dark blue jeans.
The family of the victim did not want to speak to the Press.
PC Keith McLeod, community safety officer for the South West Fife area said, "Bogus callers arrive at your door unannounced with a plausible reason to gain entry to your house.
"They claim to be meter readers, workmen or to be lost and in need of help. They may ask to use your toilet or telephone.
"They may even ask your help in locating the home of a relative who they believe lives nearby.
"They can be dressed in work clothes, uniforms, suits or casual clothes and can be male, female, elderly or young.
"Remember they are there for the sole purpose of stealing from you. Be alert, be on your guard and don't let them in."
Fife Constabulary maintained the Kingdom was "one of the safest areas in the country to live, with a falling crime rate for housebreaking and other forms of property crime".
But PC McLeod said West Fife areas like Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay and Rosyth had it "worse than most" because of their proximity to the Forth Road Bridge - an ideal escape route out of the Kingdom.
"It can happen sporadically," he said. "We are quite badly hit with our location as we are close to the bridge."
He added, "Genuine tradesmen or officials should carry a photo identification card.
"Check this carefully and if you are unsure, keep them out.
"No real caller will mind having their details checked so beware callers who do not seem to want you to check their identity.
"However, please do not rely solely on an identification card as they can be easily copied, always back this up with a phone call to the company they say they are from to confirm."
Anyone with information on this or similar crimes can contact Fife police on 0845 600 5702 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A list of approved contractors is available at www.fifedirect.org.uk/trustedtrader or by calling 01592 583141.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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joseph
Unregistered User
Aug 24, 16:33
Report commentdespicable xxxxxxxx, of course id can be faked also
Recommend?
Yes 6
No 13
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Comments please
Unregistered User
Aug 24, 20:28
Report comment"The Association of Chief Police Officers says it will not review Tasers or pepper spray use at this stage despite three deaths in eight days."
"a most wicked crime"
Recommend? Yes 3
No 11
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scott1970
23 posts
Aug 24, 21:42
Report commentThese people don't care were they get money from.maybe the press should have a donation for the man.even if it's just a pound.am sure people would put that in to help the man out.I would.
Recommend? Yes 19
No 0
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Bigger Picture
Unregistered User
Aug 25, 06:43
Report commentWell, public, before we pour scorn on one member of society, lets look at a wider picture. Maybe therein lies some answers.
"Better preparation by senior police in Tottenham could have stopped the riots which erupted there and were copied across England, the BBC has been told.
A former senior policeman has criticised a "disgraceful" absence of leadership and strategy."
Recommend? Yes 1
No 17
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MatthewsMummy
Unregistered User
Aug 25, 18:19
Report commentThat's completely disgusting, how could anyone do that to another human being? I love the suggestion of the press having a donate a pound thing, what better way to show the world that there are good, caring people out there.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 0
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Another Viewpoint
Unregistered User
Aug 25, 20:28
Report comment"The policeman blinded by gunman Raoul Moat has been arrested on suspicion of an assault at his home."
Yes, maybe if employess of the so called role model organisations in our society had some morals then they would be justified in judging others.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 11
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Another Viewpoint
Unregistered User
Aug 25, 20:35
Report comment"A Strathclyde Police officer who "could not be bothered" to arrest a suspected robber has been jailed for 12 months"
Oh dear.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 10
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no to cowards
Unregistered User
Aug 25, 21:08
Report commentI think we get your drift "another viewpoint/commentsplease" you are anti-police. However this article is not about the police here or anywhere else for that matter.
This article is about a lawless grown man making his own choice to set out and illegally deprive an innocent elderly man in his own home out of money which does not belong to him, that he has not worked for, or has any claim on whatsoever.
There is no bigger picture here, there is no role model required. Unless this man has a mental condition which stops him from knowing right from wrong, there is only one person responsible for his dirty, rotten scoundrel deed and that's himself. If one is going to pray on the weak, then one should be man enough to at least take responsibility for it.
Recommend? Yes 15
No 0
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Ulysees
40 posts
Aug 25, 21:55
Report commentIn an attempt to drag the posts here back onto the original topic - this threat is real and is happening in our areas. My own father who is disabled and in his 70's had over £200 stolen from his property recently after these scum tricked their way into his home using the premise of "we're here to tidy up your garden"
In relation to our specific case the crime was reported to Fife police who arrived very quickly and dealt with the situation promptly and in a very professional manner. We've taken "necessary measures" to ensure this doesn't happen again but I'm not holding out any hope at all of getting his money back and I really hope I'm at the property next time these ***** arrive on the door step!
These guys are the lowest of the low (ranked alongside paedophiles imo) for stealing from disabled and elderly people - we can only hope that one day the get their comeuppance and justice is served and I don't mean by our joke of a judicial system that bends over backward to protect the "human rights" of these scum!
Recommend? Yes 18
No 0
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Another Viewpoint1
Unregistered User
Aug 26, 06:49
Report commentOh dear, someone has rising to the bait.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 8
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Mr Chips
Unregistered User
Aug 26, 08:09
Report commentOh dear, someone should have paid more attention in grammar class.
Recommend? Yes 16
No 0
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