Conmen try to steal from pensioner

Conmen try to steal from pensioner

12 August 2015

DETECTIVES are hunting for two men who tried to force an elderly woman to withdraw money from her bank account.

The woman, in her 80s, was at the Ulster Bank in Downpatrick last Wednesday when bank staff became suspicious and contacted police. No money was handed over.

The men drove the woman to the bank after calling to her house requesting money for work they said they had carried out. It is thought the men may have carried out minor work at the house but the details have yet to be established.

A police spokeswoman said the woman told them she was not in possession of the amount they were asking for, so she was taken to a bank to remove the money from the account.

“Bank staff became suspicious and no money was handed over,” she said. “While she was in the bank the men stayed in a van, which is blue in colour and either a Citroen or Peugeot with a roof rack.

“We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area of Market Street and Irish Street in the town at around 3.50pm on Wednesday, August 6, and saw this blue van and the two men inside it. Any information may help identify the culprits.”

The spokeswoman is advising anyone experiencing a similar approach for money to contact police.

“If you feel you are being coerced into paying for any work against your will or in a manner that makes you feel intimidated please call 999,” she said. “Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact detectives in Downpatrick on 101. Or if someone would like to pass information without giving their details they can contact the Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Last month an 81 year-old man was attacked at a cash machine in Market Street, Downpatrick, after he withdrew what was described as a “substantial sum”. However, the robber was forced to flee empty-handed when he refused to let go of the money.

Through the Down Recorder, the pensioner warned others, especially the elderly, to be vigilant at cash points.