A north-east pensioner claimed he was too scared to confront a woman who came to his home and told him he needed to withdraw money from his bank account to avoid becoming ineligible for his pension.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard yesterday how Laurence Power was allegedly duped by Cheryl Mitchell who is on trial accused of defrauding people out of more than £60,000 over a three month period last year.
The court heard the 70-year old was visited at his home in Broomhill Park by a woman claiming to be from the city council and also the Department of Work and Pensions on November 24.
She told him he had too much money in his bank account and said he had to withdraw some or he would be guilty of fraud when drawing his old age pension.
He was then driven by the woman to the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Queen’s Cross where she told staff she was his daughter and they had been trying to carry out a transaction over the phone but were unable to do so.
Mr Power withdrew £13,000 which she took as he struggled to put it in his pocket.
The woman later claimed she had put it in a new account before she dropped Mr Power at his home then left.
He told the staff what had happened and the police were contacted shortly after.
Yesterday the court heard that Mr Power, who had been the victim of a stroke, was scared for his safety.
Fiscal depute Alan Townsend asked him to read the statement he gave to the police.
He said: “I thought about saying that I don’t believe her but I was worried she might get violent and I cannot defend myself.”
Mr Power was unable to identify Mitchell as the person involved however Brenda Robertson, the bank manager, looked at
CCTV from the time of the visit and identified her as the woman who entered with Mr Power.
The trial, before Sheriff Alison Stirling, continues.