Bogus callers, branded "scum" by police, stole thousands of pounds from a 96-year-old woman.
The elderly victim was conned after answering the door of her home in De Vere Road, Prettygate, Colchester.
A man claimed he was doing work next door and needed to switch her water off.
While she was distracted it is thought an accomplice sneaked in and took the money.
The crime was reported at about 6pm yesterday.
Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, condemned the conmen as "scum" and urged relatives of vulnerable, elderly people to do more to protect potential victims.
He said: "They took several thousand pounds which is most likely all her accumulated wealth stolen in one incident."
Published Tuesday, June 10, 2003
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