Elderly Woman Scammed by Fake Handyman in Home Theft

Trust turned to betrayal when an 83-year-old let a stranger into her home. Now, police hunt for a suspect who exploited her kindness—and stole her wallet.

, and Administrator

2026 April 5 . 6:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a woman standing next to a bicycle parked in front of a store. She is wearing a bag... — The image shows a woman standing next to a bicycle parked in front of a store. She is wearing a bag and there is a bicycle wheel in the foreground. In the background, there are books and other objects visible through the glass of the store.

Elderly Woman Scammed by Fake Handyman in Home Theft

An 83-year-old woman in her own home became the victim of a suspected theft after a stranger posed as a handyman. The incident unfolded when the man arrived unannounced, offering repair services before disappearing with her wallet. The woman was at home when an unknown man rang her doorbell. He introduced himself as a tradesman and offered to carry out repairs. Trusting his claim, she led him to the basement to show an area that needed work.

After inspecting the space, the woman agreed to pay a down payment for the supposed services. The man took the money and left the house quickly. Only after he had gone did she realise her black leather wallet was missing. Police have described the suspect as a man between 40 and 45 years old, roughly 1.80 metres tall, with an average build. He has short black hair, dark eyes, and was last seen wearing a baseball cap, a black sweatshirt with white lettering, and black pants. Criminal Investigation Division 32 has taken over the case. Authorities are urging anyone with suspicious observations to come forward and report details to the police.

The investigation remains ongoing, with no public updates on leads or arrests as of April 5, 2026. The woman's wallet has not been recovered, and police continue to seek information from the public to identify the suspect.