A team of conmen tricked elderly victims into handing over their cash cards and pin numbers, police says
CCTV footage of a suspect disguised as a woman
Police are searching for a team of conmen who tricked elderly victims out of thousands of pounds and dressed themselves up as women to evade capture.
The suspects were "charming and friendly" as they convinced elderly people to part with their bank cards and pin numbers, claiming their account had been defrauded, detectives said.
They then offered to send someone to the victim's house to pick up their bank card to help them to sort out their account.
But they used the details to withdraw large sums of money from banks and travel agencies and to buy goods, North Yorkshire Police said.
"These people are very plausible and charming when they contact the elderly people and it is easy to see how they can be convinced by what they are saying.
"In reality, they are preying on elderly people's vulnerability and trusting nature.
"We are determined to catch them and bring them to justice. I am therefore asking for the public's help as we continue our investigations."
Police said they are still investigating whether the conmen were dressed as women when they visited their victims, or whether it was purely a ruse to evade detection when they withdrew the money.
A police spokesman said five offences were reported in Harrogate and two in York last month and this month, and urged anyone who recognises the suspects or has seen anything suspicious to contact them.
