Lothian and Borders Police are urging the public to stay vigilant to bogus callers following another incident in Blackhall.
The men have been targeting an elderly man in March Road over the past few months claiming they would work on his roof but so far, despite handing over thousands of pounds in cash, no work has been carried out on the house.
After providing an initial estimate, the men have gone back to the man demanding more money on the basis that they needed materials, that a VAT bill had to be settled, and finally to request a signature confirming the work had been done.
Door to door inquiries are underway in the area, with officers keen to speak to anyone else who may have been approached by these men. No description of the suspects is available.
A police spokesman said: “We would encourage anyone to fully check the credentials of anyone looking to carry out work or maintenance for you. Any genuine worker would be happy to provide details of their company, and would not have an issue with you calling their bosses and verifying their identity. In addition, we would ask people to stay vigilant, keep an eye on your neighbours and be alert to anyone acting suspiciously in your area. Anyone with any concerns, or seeking home security advice, should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or check our website for more information.”
Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
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