AN ELDERLY woman has been left "absolutely distraught" after being targeted by a bogus caller who tricked his way into her home and stole £800 – including £600 she planned to give her grandchildren as Christmas presents.
The 83-year-old was conned by a man who pretended to be calling to fix her water pipes after clai
ming there had been a supply problem in the area.
Police have appealed for help in catching the smartly-dressed culprit who called at her home at Burngrange Cottages in West Calder between 4pm and 5pm last Wednesday.
Detective Constable Christine Murphy, from Livingston CID, said: "The suspect called at her house and said there was work going on in the area and he had to get in to repair her pipes. He distracted the woman by telling her to get down and empty under her sink.
"He went into her living room and stole a wallet containing £600, which was intended for her grandchildren's Christmas gifts. They are teens and young adults so she saved up to give them money so they could buy what they wanted.
"He then went to her bedroom and took another £200, which included the pension money she had picked up the day before.
"When she discovered what had happened, she called her daughter, who called the police."
DC Murphy added: "The victim was absolutely distraught by what happened. She was really upset and has blamed herself for losing the money.
"I've visited her and tried to reassure her that it wasn't her fault and that she did nothing wrong. It's disgraceful to abuse the trust of an elderly woman, especially at this time of year."
Officers believe the man may have targeted the victim specifically, as they have no other reports of a bogus caller trying neighbouring homes.
Police in West Lothian have been trying to educate elderly people in the area over the threat from bogus callers.
Nearly 80 pensioners were welcomed at Broxburn Academy last Friday to watch a presentation on the dangers of bogus callers.
PC Stuart Neilson, from the force's safer communities department, said: "This presentation was the first of its kind we've done and we're hoping to do more in the future. It was all about giving advice, such as having a lock chain on your door, never dealing with anyone who calls without an appointment, always checking for ID.
"Unfortunately, West Lothian can be a target for bogus callers because of its geography. It has the A71 and M8, which allows easy access for these criminals in and out again.
"That may have been the reason this elderly lady was targeted as her home is beside the A71."
