A HEARTLESS fraudster stole £150 from a pensioner after tricking his way into a house disguised as a carpet cleaner.

The 78-year-old pensioner from Weston Road in Portland was tricked into opening his door to a man pretending to be a window cleaner on Friday, June 24.

The distraction burglary took place between midday and 1pm.

The man, who is described as white, aged in his early twenties, around six feet tall and of a large build, wearing jeans and a light-coloured top and baseball cap, entered the house and took £150.

It was only after the man had left that the 78-year-old noticed the cash had gone.

Dorset Police have released details of the incident in a bid to encourage other victims to come forward and bring the fraudster to justice.

Police Constable John Kirk, of Dorset Police, said: “I understand that the elderly victim, a 78-year-old woman, booked an appointment to have her carpets professionally cleaned.

“A man attended and after doing a very poor job of cleaning the carpets, he left the house.

“The victim later noticed that an envelope containing money was missing.”