Four men have been arrested after reports of rogue traders targeting a woman in her 80s.
Police made the arrests after reports of the Fareham woman being targeted seven times between September 27 and October 17.
It is said that a group of men, purporting to be tradesmen, told her she needed roof work doing.
Minimal work was then completed on each visit with the victim forking out £32,800.
READ MORE: Three men arrested in connection with rogue trader offences
A fraud investigation was launched with officers visiting addresses in Titchfield, Fareham and Southampton today where arrests were made.
A 33-year-old man from Southampton, a 28-year-old man from Southampton, a 40-year-old man from Fareham and a 30-year-old man from Titchfield were all arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.
The two men aged 28 and 30 were also arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property with the 33-year-old also arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs.
Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy joined police teams including investigations, neighbourhoods, and the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team as police launched an operation in the early hours.
The district commander for policing in Fareham & Gosport said: "Doorstep crime is a nasty offence type which sees some of the most vulnerable members of our community exploited, manipulated or intimidated into parting with enormous sums of cash.
“There is no place for it, and I hope today’s activity sends a message that we will take any reports of this type of crime seriously and we will act.
“The community are our eyes and ears, so please keep reporting suspicious activity around scam callers or rogue traders to the police so we can build a bigger picture of who, where and how they are operating.
“It’s so important that as a community we look after each other. Check in on any elderly or vulnerable friends, neighbours or relatives, encourage them to be cautious around cold callers and to make use of the crime prevention advice available on our website about how to identify, and what to do, if you are contacted by a rogue trader.”
For more information on doorstep criminals, please visit the dedicated page on our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/police-forces/hampshire-constabulary/areas/campaigns/2018/doorstep-criminals/
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