A Nantwich pensioner was targeted by two bogus waterboard officials at her home.
The incident has led to police warnings to residents to be aware when answering to unexpected callers.
The distraction burglary happened at the victim’s home in the South Crofts area of the town.
The men knocked on the door and claimed to be from the waterboard. They took cash after tricking their way into the pensioner′s home.
The woman, who is in her 80s, was not injured but was left shaken by the incident at 3.20pm on Friday (Feb 22).
The two men wore dark clothing. One of the men had close cropped hair.
Det Sgt Andy McGillan said: “I cannot stress enough the importance of people not letting anyone into their home who calls unexpectedly and if you have a chain, always use it.
“It′s also vitally important people realise the waterboard does not exist.
“If you do answer the door, make sure you have the door on the chain and ask for identification.
“If they provide it, close the door and check their identity is bona fide by calling the phone number they have provided.
“But most importantly, if you have any doubts about them being genuine, don′t let them in and ask them to come back later when you are not alone.”
Anyone with information should contact Crewe CID on 101 quoting incident number 524 of February 22 2013.
Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The people who carry out these crimes are just scumbags. There have been a lot of warnings about this sort of bogus caller incident via Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and it is hard to understand why people still fall for it. All unknown callers at a house should be treated with great caution.