Bogus bin men duped a resident into paying £25 to remove an unwanted sofa and chairs from outside her property, only to dump them in another road nearby.
 
The incident happened on Tuesday in Pottingfield Road, Rye, when three men purporting to be council employees said they could dispose of the unwanted items.
 
But the tricksters simply dumped the furniture in Cooper Road on the same estate.
 
Sergeant Warren Downs, of the Rye neighbourhood policing team, said: "While the resident believed that the men would take away the items, our advice would be to contact the district council.
 
"It can, for a fee, arrange for the legitimate removal of unwanted items and dispose of them safely."
 
Anyone who noticed the men, a vehicle or anything else suspicious, or who has been similarly approached, is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting serial 882 of 5/5.
 
Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers without having to leave their name on 0800 555 111.