Cold callers: 83-year-old woman targeted by ‘bogus workmen’ in Aberdeenshire as police urge people to be vigilant

The elderly woman was targeted at a property on Old Strichen Road, Fraserburgh.

On March, 3, 2021, three “suspected bogus workmen” offered to carry out some garden work for an 83-year-old woman at a house on Old Strichen Road in Fraserburgh.

After completing a small amount of work, the men tried to take the elderly woman to the bank so that she could pay them.

Police are urging anyone who has information on this, or other crimes of this nature, to come forward and share their information.

If you find yourself being pressured into accepting work from an individual that you are not certain is legitimate, you should report them to the police.

Constable Neale Gawthorpe, of North East Police Division, said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing. I would appeal for anyone who has been a victim of this type of incident to contact Police Scotland.

“These types of criminals prey on the elderly and vulnerable and I urge communities to remain vigilant and to make sure that they look out for any vulnerable persons in their communities.

"If workmen come to your address offering services and you are not certain of whether or not they are legitimate or you don’t want their services please say no and report them to police as soon as possible.

"If in doubt, shut them out."

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of a bogus workmen incident should contact Police Scotland on 101 or, if you want to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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