A 68-YEAR-OLD was conned out of £3,250 by fraudsters claiming they needed to carry out urgent work on the drains in his house.

The man nearly handed over another £4,500 but a suspicious bank cashier  refused his request to withdraw the money and phoned police.

The resident was visited at home in Peacehaven on January 4 by two strangers who said they had been doing work on the drains next door and needed to do his too, police said.

He gave the men £3,250 in cash the following morning after they took him to his bank in Brighton where he withdrew the money, a Sussex Police spokesman said.

The fraudsters then drove the man to a branch of the same bank in Crawley where he tried to withdraw £4,500 but the cashier became suspicious.

A Sussex Police spokesman added: "We remind all residents, especially the elderly or those living alone, and their relatives, not to be taken in or intimidated by cold call approaches like this.

“Never agree to anything on the spot, and always look into all available information about anyone who contacts you in this way. Seek advice from neighbours, relatives, and the police if necessary.

"This the first such call we have received recently, but we are also reminding all bank staff to be wary when elderly and vulnerable account holders come in to ask for large amounts of cash from their account.

“There is nothing to stop you querying the request if you are suspicious and we are glad that in Crawley just that happened."

Anyone who saw two men acting suspiciously in Peacehaven on Sunday evening January 4, or on the following morning, is asked to contact Sussex Police via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting serial 807 of January 5.

Anyone with suspicions about this type of approach can contact the police at any time via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.