‘Customs’ conmen prey on elderly

An elderly couple were conned out of £300 after two men turned up at their house claiming they were from Customs and Excise and carried out a random search for illegal property.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Sep 2011, 11:14 BST

The pair were shown into the lounge of the house on Alliance Avenue, Hull, and took out some form of ID before searching the house.

They got the couple, who are in their 70s, to open a safe in the living room and took a can containing £300, before leaving saying they would be sending the sniffer dogs in. However, the men did not return.

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Police are warning householders to be vigilant, following the incident just after 5pm last Friday.

The first suspect is aged 50-55, about 5ft 8in and stockily built. He was clean shaven and had short brown hair swept to the side. He was wearing a grey woollen jumper and dark trousers. The second man was younger, aged 20-25, around 6ft 1in and very thin. He was clean shaven and had short dark brown hair. He was wearing a navy blue body warmer over a short-sleeved white T-shirt and black trousers.

Police carried out house to house inquiries following the report. They are urging people not to let strangers in unless IDs are checked thoroughly.

Related topics:PoliceHull