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Feb 14, 2008 11:53 am US/Eastern
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Suspects Sought In Elderly Scams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Police are searching for a pair of scam artists who are allegedly preying on senior citizens throughout Philadelphia and several surrounding counties.
Authorities said they are stealing cash and precious possessions, leaving victims frightened and heart broken.
Investigators said the heartless thieves have struck more than a dozen times in Philadelphia, surrounding counties and South Jersey.
Surveillance video caught the thieves going on a shopping spree in the Franklin Mills Mall after stealing everything they could get their hands on from the homes of elderly victims.
"What we are starting to see now is a new type of diversion scam targeting senior citizens, it's not just like someone taking money, they're taking really prized, precious possessions," said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman.
Police said the scam begins with a knock on the door, the female robber asks the elderly victim to discuss the location of a backyard fence.
"They ask her to see property line that she was going to be constructing a fence later," said Detective Frank Groome of the Upper Southampton Police Department.
Once the female thief lures the victim outside, the male robber goes inside and helps himself.
So far, police said the thieves have struck more than a dozen times and have gotten away each and every time.
"This is their jobs, they're professionals at it, they know what they're doing," said Officer Tricia Logic of the East Whiteland Police Department.
Police urged the public if they have any information on the heartless thieves to contact your local police department.
And if you are a senior citizen, the best way to avoid becoming their next victim is to not open the door.
"If someone knocks on your door, they want to sell you something, tell them to go away, if you need a fence, you will call the fencing company," Ferman said.
Police said the scammers move quickly, striking several times in one day, then laying low before showing up in another county miles away.
Police believe there may be more victims that detectives don't even know about as elderly people are so shaken and embarrassed that they are afraid to come forward.
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