Bogus workers scam elderly woman out of thousands

'Despicable' conmen demanded £6k for 20-minute tree cutting job

- By MEGAN BANNER

'BOGUS workmen' targeted an elderly woman in Huyton and took thousands of pounds from her.

The 77-year-old woman, who does not want to be named, received a knock at her door at around midday last Wednesday by men offering tree surgery services through a company called 'Local Tree Care'.

Her neighbour Samuel Worthington, who shared Ring doorbell footage with the ECHO, described how they'd knocked on other doors in the street before calling on the elderly woman.

He said she was initially quoted £400 to have the trees at the back of their houses, which had overgrown into her garden, removed. She agreed to the price and the 'small job' started.

Samuel said: "I wasn't home at the time. They had done a hash job, and after they'd finished they'd made up an excuse and said because the tree was contaminated they would have to dispose of it in a special way, which would cost her more.