Last week, the Southern Gazette reported on a Kensington resident who avoided being scammed by a man offering her a cash deal to do work on her driveway.
Recently, a 93-year-old South Perth resident was not so lucky and had money and jewellery taken from his house.
The man, who is blind and hard of hearing, received a call from some workmen saying a neighbour had suggested he might like the gutters of his house cleaned before the winter rains set in.
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READ NOWHaving limited mobility, he hired them. After some time the men advised the resident that the job had been done but that the gutters needed some more attention.
He decided that he would just pay for the service done and leave it at that.
After asking for a price that had not been agreed to ” $1000 ” he said he would pay them as originally agreed ” $100. They accepted the offer and asked the resident for a cup of tea.
He told the men to take a seat outside while he got them their tea and the money he owed them.
After they finished their tea and left, the resident decided to get some cash that his carer would need for shopping the next day.
To his shock, he found that his money and jewellery were missing. It became obvious to the resident that one of the men had followed him in the house and saw where he had the money.
The scammers are described as young; one was softly spoken with either an Irish or an English accent and drove a white van.
Kensington Senior Sergeant Ash Goy said scammers would generally prey on the elderly or vulnerable.
‘If in doubt, check the full credentials of any worker who is suspected of being illegitimate and if necessary ring the company. Also contact police on 131 444,’ he said.
– Read more about scammers in Senior Sergeant Goy’s Street Watch on Page 15.