CALLOUS conmen tricked an elderly woman out of several hundred pounds of her savings by telling her she owed them money for work on her bathroom.
The fraudsters had pulled up in a van beside their victim last Wednesday (April 14) at about 10am.
She had been walking near the junction of Wadham Gardens, Greenford, on her way home after a blood test. They insisted the woman, in her 80s, take them to her home.
Once inside one tried to convince her that improvements to the bathroom were their handiwork, while the other raided her home, taking about £75 in cash from the living room.
That was not enough for the thugs, who forced her to go with them to Barclays in Sudbury Hill so she could withdraw cash to 'pay' them.
The frightened pensioner took out £700 over the counter and gave it to them, before they dropped her near her home in Greenford Road.
Dave Dwyer, chairman of the Wood End Residents' Association, said: "They must've frightened her. I've known her for a long time and she's always warning others about this kind of thing. It's an ongoing problem around here. I'm always warning my residents not to open their door if they are suspicious, and phone the police."
He added that a vulnerable person asking for such a large amount of money should have been questioned by the bank.
"It's not good customer service. They should have something in place to ask why they want such a large amount of money and if they can help. It's not just the money - this kind of thing can stay with people forever."
A Barclays spokesman said: "Our branch teams watch out for situations where a customer may be the victim of criminal activity, including large cash withdrawals.
"The teams work with trading standards and with the police and on many occasions the actions of branch staff have resulted in criminals being caught. However we do have to balance the need to protect our customers and the need to provide access to their money.
"If a customer feels they are being forced to withdraw money, they should let our staff know and we will take the necessary action."
The two men are white, about 5ft 10in and were wearing baseball caps and dark clothing. They were driving a white Astra van with ladders on the roof.
* Anyone with information should call the North Greenford safer neighbour-hood team on 020 8721 2914.
