Bogus roofers con 83-year-old man out of £800

The van

Police have released an image of a van after a pensioner was driven to a bank and conned out of withdrawing £800.

Sometime between 11.00am and 1.00pm on 16 November 2011, two men knocked on the door of the 83-year-old man's home on Heights Close, Shawclough, Rochdale, claiming to be from a roofing company called 'Aqua Shield.'

They said he needed work on his roof tiles and persuaded him to pay £800 up front, after which they would return the following day. They drove the pensioner to a Natwest bank on Packer Street where he withdrew the money.

He has not seen them since.

Police are now urging residents to look at the image of the van and appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

The first man was described as being white, about 5ft 10in tall, about 21-22-years-old and with middling to light-coloured hair. He was also wearing a jacket.

The second man was white, about 5ft 5in tall, about 27 or 28-years-old and wearing dirty white overalls covered in paint.

The van they were driving was said to be a white Transit van with roofing ladders on top and ‘AQUA’ in large red letters on the side panel.

Anyone who is approached by men purporting to be from this company is advised to call police immediately.

Police Constable Christopher Hickey, from the Volume Crime Unit at Middleton, said: "The culprits are cowards, pure and simple.

"They have cheated an old, vulnerable man out of his pension money by coming up with a totally bogus story. It must be said they have gone to some lengths to give themselves the air of authenticity and they were very convincing, but theft is theft and these men need to be stopped.

"I would urge members of our communities to take a good look at the image and if they have seen it driving around the area or have been approached by the men driving it, to contact police as soon as possible.

"I would also ask residents to keep a close eye if you have elderly neighbours. If you think someone is trying to con them into "work" on their home, please make sure they do not give any money upfront to these conman. Always get a signed contract detailing what work will be done and when and do not give them any cash until work is completed."

Anyone with information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.