Irish door-to-door salesmen forced elderly woman into buying 12 CHAINSAWS, 11 generators and seven power washers for ‘extortionate’ price
- Cold callers tricked an elderly woman into buying a huge haul of power tools
- The woman, who lives alone, did not need the 12 chainsaws traders sold her
- Conman also tricked her into buying 11 generators and seven power washers
- She handed over cheques to fraudsters which were cancelled before cashed
Cold callers tricked an elderly woman into buying a massive pile of power tools, including 12 chainsaws, 11 generators and seven power washers.
The cruel doorstop traders conned the vulnerable lady into paying an ‘extortionate’ price for the huge haul.
Their elderly victim, who lives alone, handed over cheques to pay for tools she did not want or have a use for.
The cheques were luckily cancelled before being cashed in, and Gardai police officers have launched an investigation into the ‘heinous crime’ in Bantry, County Cork, Ireland.
A group of doorstop sellers are thought to have hounded the woman into paying for the tools, which have now been recovered and are being retained as evidence.
Cold callers forced an elderly woman into buying this massive pile of power tools – including 12 chainsaws, 11 generators and seven power washers
A photograph was posted on Gardai’s Facebook page yesterday showing the huge pile of power tools the woman was tricked into buying.
The scam has prompted a stark warning to residents from Gardai, who have asked locals to raise awareness with elderly and vulnerable relatives.
Speaking at Anglesea Street Garda Station, crime prevention officer, Sgt Tony Davis, urged people to keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours.
He said: ‘This is a heinous crime that was committed as it targets the more vulnerable members of our communities.
‘If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours and see or hear about bogus traders doing the rounds, let them and ourselves know so we can put out additional patrols.’
Gardai are urging residents to be vigilant and have issued advice to help people spot potential rogue traders after the elderly woman in Bantry, County Cork, was conned
Police are urging residents to be vigilant and have issued advice to help people spot potential rogue traders.
Sgt Davis added: ‘If you suspect that anyone who calls to your door selling goods or services is not who they say they are, tell them you are not interested and call the gardaí immediately.’
‘Genuine tradespeople won’t be offended by any queries the gardaí may make.
‘If you are answering the door to cold-callers, apply the chain or door limiter before opening the door.
‘I would also ask that If anyone feels like they, or someone they know has been a victim of being sold goods for extortionate prices, or paid for a service that was not carried out, to call any Garda station and report the matter.’