Church conman warning

CHURCH officials are being warned about a serial conman who fleeced an Uppermill church of £100.

He went into the church last month, claiming to be from Aberdeenshire and said he needed money.

He spoke with a Scottish accent and told a church member he had a job with Balfour Beatty but had to work a month in hand.

Peter Lee, the Oldham Homewatch co-ordinator, is warning local Homewatch groups about how he conned his victim into parting with £100.

Mr Lee said: “The man said he had been advised by his church to contact a local church for a loan in lieu of wages as his parents were in Spain and unable to help.

“The victim was sold hook, line and sinker and handed over £100 after a short prayer which she said was very convincing. He’s not been seen since.

“He left a telephone number which goes to a man in Peterhead, in Scotland, who said that he has received at least one call a month for about two years from police authorities, churches, clergymen and charities from all over the country telling the same or similar tale.”

He is described as white, 6ft tall, with brown, fairish hair, wearing a fawn jacket with pockets on the front, a striped scarf, smart jeans, and had a large silver watch.