A RETIRED painter and decorator from Clacton says he was targeted by the same crook who has been preying on the elderly in the Frinton and Walton area.

Liam Whitty, 68, was watching television at his Freshwater Lane home one night when there was a late-night knock at the door

"It was 11.10pm and there was a woman asking for money," he said.

"She said she had come from Chilburn Road, which is two streets away, and she needed money because she had just moved into the area.

"But she didn't look like she needed money because she had a top of the range iPhone."

Luckily a neighbour had already warned him that a conwoman was targeting people in the area.

"I was on the back foot straight away at that time of night.

"If it wasn't for my neighbour I might have been a bit more on the back foot.

"I just said I couldn't help her and close the door but it was the same description of the woman who was in the Gazette."

Last week we reported an incident where Anthea d'Ancey, 80, from Frinton handed over £50 to get rid of a crook who came to her with a sob story about needing money because her mother had been hurt in an accident.

Mr Whitty added: "When she knocked on my neighbour's door she was walking up and down the street with her phone like she was waiting to be picked up.

"I am just concerned about other people and want them to be aware."