Nottinghamshire Police have released images of someone they wish to speak to after a conwoman tricked their way into a Mapperley pensioner’s house by pretending to be her granddaughter.
The suspect knocked on the door in Thorncliffe Road, Mapperley Park, and conned her way inside by asking the 98-year-old homeowner for help.
She repeatedly called the woman ‘grandma’ in a bid to confuse her, before searching the property for items of value and leaving.
This happened at 2.23pm, with the suspect then immediately knocking on a neighbouring house and asking the resident if they had a number for a taxi.
When the homeowner – a woman in her 70s – tried to close the door, the intruder forced her way inside before noticing other people were home and then ran away.
The incidents took place on March 8, 2024.
Later that same day, around 6pm, the same woman again took advantage of a member of the public’s good nature at Mansfield Train Station.
After telling a vulnerable man that she didn’t have enough money for a ticket, she persuaded him to go to a cashpoint for her.
At that point, she took £50 from the victim, along with his wallet, which contained bank cards that were later used to spend a further £150.
Police are currently investigating the three incidents and have now released an image of a woman they believe could have been involved.
Detective Constable James Lunt, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Over the course of one day, the same woman made multiple attempts to trick people and then steal from them.
“On each occasion, she targeted good-natured members of the public by asking them for help, and at one stage tried to confuse a 98-year-old woman by pretending to be her granddaughter.
“As you can imagine, each of the victims were left very distressed by what happened, so we’re determined to track down the woman responsible, as these actions were completely unacceptable.
“We believe the woman in these pictures may have been involved, so we’d ask her, if she sees this, to do the right thing and contact the police.
“Likewise, we’d ask anyone who recognises her, or has any other information that could assist us, to call the police on 101, quoting incident 450 of 8 March 2024.
“Information can also be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.”
