VULNERABLE pensioners across Oxfordshire are being conned out of thousands of pounds by doorstep criminals.

Investigators have warned that techniques being used in what is known as doorstep crime are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

In one case an elderly man in his 80s was “groomed” into thinking that the thief was his friend but was conned out of £420,000.

According to the latest figures more than £1.8m was paid from victims, in the last three years, to criminals defined as rogue traders, or others, seeking to obtain money by deception at people’s homes.

And it’s on the rise with more than £513,000 paid out by victims in the last year compared to about £448,000 in 2012/13.

Richard Webb, of Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team, said organised gangs were masquerading as legitimate businesses, and offering to install roofing, driveways and solar panels to unsuspecting victims.

There are concerns that conmen are targeting vulnerable elderly people, with the majority of victims found to be aged 61 or above.

Mr Webb said the case involving the man in his 80s was exceptional but by no means a one-off.

He said: “These are people who groom elderly people and make them think they are their friend.

“It starts with small favours and helping them around the house but can progress into much bigger things.

“In this case, the victim – an elderly gentleman in his 80s – was convinced to lend a man a lot of money to set up a farm for him and his family in Hampshire.

“The farm never existed, but the victim was totally convinced that he was helping out his friend.”

He added: “We continue to investigate these incidents as we become aware of them, but a key thing we have been stressing to communities is that people need to look out for each other and be more neighbourly.

“Many older people are perfectly capable of managing their own finances, but others – for reasons such as isolation – may be more vulnerable.”

Excluding the case of the man in his 80s, the amount of cash victims were defrauded by increased year-on-year in 2014-15 by almost £70,000.

A survey of victims found nine out of 10 were aged 61 or above, with the oldest found to be a 96-year-old man who lived alone.

And the data showed that in a period of five years, the majority of doorstep crime was rural.

Almost 1,700 complaints were from areas of Oxfordshire outside of Oxford, compared to 437 in the city.

Jane Thomas from Wallingford fell victim to doorstep crime in 2011 when builders Trevor Bateman and David Merriman asked to do some gardening work.

This soon turned into bathroom repairs and she was left with a £6,000 bill – despite the work being unfinished.

The 72-year-old said: “I have now learned to say no to people.”

Bateman, of Oakham Close, Swindon, was jailed for four years and Merriman, of Clifton, Nottinghamshire, for three-and-a-half years.

Rachelle Kennedy, a spokeswoman for Age UK Oxfordshire, said older people and vulnerable adults were particularly at risk.

She said: “It is vitally important to ensure that people have the right information and advice and that they feel equipped to challenge and report a potential scam.

“We are working together with Trading Standards and other organisations to raise public awareness and access to support, and with the police to reach more vulnerable and isolated older people in the community.”