A WOMAN has been conning residents out of money by claiming she needs cash for a taxi.
In total six incidents have been reported to West Mercia Police – three of which were reported on Wednesday (May 21) – in Winyates and Matchborough.
The woman, who is believed to live locally, claims she needs cash for a taxi because she has been locked out of her house and needs money to get to work so she can collect her keys.
She also says she lives near or on the same street as the person who she is asking for money.
A vulnerable woman who lives in Holyoakes Close was targeted about 7.30pm on Tuesday (May 20) when the fraudster turned up at her home and talked her way into the house.
She persuaded the victim to give her £55 and arrangements were made for the woman to bring back some groceries but she never returned.
A home in Ledbury Close and Jackfield Close were also hit by the woman between 12.45am and 1.15am on Wednesday (May 21).
The con artist used a similar story and received £1 from one resident but the other became suspicious so she left empty handed.
A further two incidents happened in Edgmond Close, Winyates West, between 10pm and 10.15pm on Sunday (May 18) when the woman was given a total of £22 for taxi fare.
She also struck in Kinlet Close last Wednesday (May 14) between 8.30pm and 9pm, where she was given £10.
The woman is described as white, about 5ft tall, slim, with blonde or brown hair, and one witness said she had a spotty complexion.
The incidents are being treated as fraud as well as one distraction burglary.
PC Paul Downes from the Winyates and Matchborough Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “It is concerning she has struck at least six times in such a short space of time and it is quite likely there are other incidents which have not been reported.
“If you know who this woman is or think you have seen her getting into a vehicle near any of these incidents then please let us know immediately.”
He urged residents not to handover cash to anyone with a hard luck story, not to let anyone into their homes they did not know and to contact police immediately.
Witnesses or anyone with any information should contact PC Downes on 101 quoting incident 586-S-190514.
