So-called 'hugger muggers' tried to grab an elderly woman's gold necklace in Southall yesterday after posing as friends of their victim.
The terrifying attempted robbery in Convent Way prompted a police warning to beware of the tactic being used by Asian gold thieves.
The 83-year-old victim was walking along Convent Way at about 6pm when a woman cried 'Mum! Mum!' in Punjabi and began hugging her.
A second woman then approached and tried to pull the gold necklace from her neck, but the victim put up a struggle and the pair escaped empty handed in a car being driven by an Asian man.
The attack follows a warning by police yesterday to watch out for gangs of thieves targeting gold jewellery during the Hindu festival of Diwali.
Police appealed earlier this month for volunteers to help protect homes in west London from Asian gold thieves.
Detective Constable Davina Nash, of Hounslow Police, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for an elderly woman going about her business. She thought she was being approached by a friendly female, who turned out to be part of a gang working together to rob her.
"With Diwali being celebrated over the next few weeks, I urge people to be vigilant when they are going to visit temples, friends or families and not to display their jewellery outside.
"We are also very keen to speak to anyone who may be able to assist us with this investigation and catch the people responsible."
Both the robbers are Asian. The one who hugged the victim was wearing a sari and is approximately 35 years old, with long black hair. The other is described as 50-58 years old.
* Anyone with any information is asked to call the Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit at Hounslow Police on 020 8247 6659 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
