Sutton police have urged elderly residents to be wary of rogue traders carrying out doorstep scams.

It comes after two men were cheated out of huge sums of cash in just three days.

An 81-year-old blind man from Beddington Lane, Beddington, unwittingly handed over £160 for roof repairs which never took place.

The scammer turned up on the victim’s doorstep at 3.15pm on Tuesday June 3.

The suspect initially said he would charge £40 to repair loose roof tiles.

When he was invited into the house he used a wet cloth to dupe the man into believing his roof was damp.

After accepting £160 he claimed would cover the extra work, the con man left the property without doing any repairs.

When police arrived they checked the loft and found no evidence of leaks.

The victim’s blindness means he was unable to describe the suspect, only saying that he referred to himself as Gavin from ‘The Plough.’

The 81-year-old victim paid out the cash using his emergency savings.

Just two days later a 96-year-old man was duped out of £650 for guttering work that never took place.

The doorstep fraudster called at the man’s house off Clensham Lane, Sutton, on Thursday June 5 just before 11am.

The suspect told him he was working next door, and had noticed the suspect’s guttering was in need of repair.

He then persuaded the 96-year-old to drive him to a cash machine in Sutton High Street to withdraw the cash.

After accepting the money the fraudster told the victim he would meet him at his property later that day.

The elderly man called police when the scammer never arrived.

The victim is also the main carer for his wife who suffered a stroke some years ago.

Sutton Council has set up a Safer Sutton Trader Scheme to help the public be more aware of rogue traders. Visit: www.sutton.gov.uk/ssts or call 020 8770 5070.

If you have any information about concerning the 81-year-old blind victim, call Sutton Police on 101 quoting ref no: 4005729/14. To report any information about the 91-year-old’s case, call Sutton Police on 101 quoting ref no: 4005732/14. Or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.