By Esther Lauaki
Melton police are warning residents to be on the lookout for dodgy door-knocking tradies targeting the elderly and unwitting.
The warning comes as police search for two men who recently approached an 85-year-old Melton woman at her home purporting to be roof repairers.
Leading Senior Constable Jo Mutsaets said the elderly woman was “swindled” out of a large amount of money for work that was not carried out.
Senior Constable Mutsaets told
Star Weekly two men had persuaded the Melton resident to withdraw a substantial amount of money from her bank. After following her to the bank, they had taken the cash from her, promising to return and begin work later that day.
“They have not been sighted since,” Senior Constable Mutsaets said
The offenders are described as Caucasian, aged in their early 40s, with English or Irish accents and wearing hi-visibility tops. Senior Constable Mutsaets said the men were driving a white 1999 Nissan Navara dual-cab utility.
“It is likely that these males have targeted other vulnerable victims, not necessarily restricted to the Melton area,” she said.
“This type of crime is one that often goes unreported because its victims are usually elderly and they are embarrassed that they could have been misled in that way.
“We would ask that residents stay vigilant and report any dodgy door-to-door tradesperson.
“You can’t just tell by looking at their faces, but there are a few simple signs to look out for.”
She warned residents to be weary of tradespeople who offer very cheap home repair services such as driveway resurfacing, roof repairs or painting, who ask for cash up front and apply pressure to do the work that day.
Other tell-tale signs include no proof of identity, not allowing customers time to check credentials or offering to drive with residents to a bank to get money.
“Only use established tradespeople that give written quotes,” Senior Constable Mutsaets said.
Anyone with information about Melton door-to-door tradies are being asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000.
