Bogus detective cons elderly man of cash
They have warned elderly people, especially those living alone, to be wary about strange callers after the latest “bogus detective” incident in Ballineen last weekend.
A Garda spokesman said the bogus detective called to the elderly occupant of a house, who was living alone. The bogus detective claimed there had been a number of robberies in the area and asked the pensioner if he had any money in his home. The conman stole around €100 from the elderly man.
The incident happened between 3pm and 3.30pm on Saturday last.
The culprit was described as being about 35 years old and around 5ft 6ins tall.
He was said to have a local accent, was of slim build, had black hair and a pale complexion. He was also clean shaven and well-dressed.
Gardaí say the description is close to that of a man who was caught impersonating a detective in Cobh.
Last May, a bogus detective conned an 86-year-old woman out of money in Cobh and it subsequently emerged that he had also stolen cash from a 79-year-old man in Youghal the previous month.
The man was arrested and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The latest incident at Ballineen was described by gardaí as “a particularly nasty crime” and they are anxious to catch the perpetrator.
In the meantime, they have warned elderly people that all gardaí, on duty, would always have some official identification on them. “If somebody calls at your door saying they are a garda, always ask for this identification. If a householder is in any way suspicious they should contact their local Garda station and not let the person into their home,” a Garda spokesman said.
Meanwhile, they are also looking to speak to anybody in the Ballineen area who may have come across the bogus detective last weekend.
Anybody with information is asked to contact Clonakilty Garda Station at 023-8845202.
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