Police hunt callous crook who fleeced pensioner

Oct 14 2009 The Journal

A VULNERABLE elderly man was targeted by a door-to-door conman who charged him extortionate amounts for clothing.

Detectives believe that over several months the east Durham pensioner has paid out large amounts of cash in exchange for clothing, shoes and watches at highly-inflated prices.

Detective Constable Clare Neill, of Seaham CID, said inquiries revealed the victim, in his 80s, had first been visited by the salesman at his home in Barnes Road, Murton, some time ago and over a period of months was paying increasing amounts for his purchases.

She added: "The caller began making greater financial demands on the victim, sometimes taking him to the Post Office to withdraw up to £250 at a time and also asked him for a couple of blank cheques. This conman has been taking advantage of a vulnerable elderly person and targeted him persistently to extort money from him for goods that were clearly not worth anything like the amount he was charging.”

DC Neill said a South Hetton pensioner of a similar age to the Murton victim had also been recently targeted and added: "We would like anyone with information about these incidents to contact us."

Seaham CID can be contacted via the non-emergency number 0345 6060 365 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man in his late 40s from the Cleveland area has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and bailed pending further inquiries.