1:40PM, Thu Jul 19, 2012

E-Fit: Woman Scammed Out Of Life Savings By Bogus Police Officers

By Ruth Holliday Location: Windy Nook, Gateshead

Do you know this man? Police want to speak to him

Police have released an E-Fit of a man they want to talk to after a woman was scammed out of her life savings.

At 8.45pm on Friday July 13, two men called at the home of a 68-year-old woman in Windy Nook, Gateshead.

They were dressed in suits and had a clipboard, telling the woman they had a warrant to search the premises and giving her the impression they were police officers.

They asked if she had cash and eventually she agreed to put a sum of money into a carrier bag and handed it to them.

They left saying they were taking it to Market Street Police Station in Newcastle.

The woman was not threatened or harmed in any way.

Both men were described as in their 30s, white, around 5ft 10ins tall and of average build.

One had dark hair and the other short fair wavy hair and both were dressed in suits. One spoke with a Scottish accent.

Chief Inspector Mark Warcup, Gateshead Area Command, said: "This was quite an unusual method to use, however, we know incidents such as this do cause concern in the community and I'd like to reiterate that everything is being done to trace the men involved.

"I'd like to remind residents to ensure they are vigilant to any cold callers to their home and never hand over cash at the doorstep. If in doubt contact the police."

It's thought the two men left the area in a car which was parked nearby. Anyone who saw two men in suits getting into a vehicle in the area is asked to contact police.

Anyone with information should call 101 ext 69191, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.