A vulnerable Goodmayes pensioner has been targeted by two conmen who walked away with �500, in the second such incident in two months.

The resident who lives in Hazeldene Road, Goodmayes was duped by a pair of rogues who said they were working on the adjoining house and had found damp and needed to drill for problems.

The two men, who were working out of a white van, appeared to examine the rear of the property before drilling several holes, from which water appeared.

They demanded �900 cash but accepted �500 and then departed leaving the rear wall with several holes, saying that they would come back two hours later.

Goodmayes Residents Association chairman, Keith Stanbury said: “I am very angry that this has happened again. Poking leaflets through doors does little and we’re all guilty of chucking leaflets in the recycle bin without reading them. I want people to warn their neighbours.”

A crime and disorder meeting will be held at All Saint’s Church, Goodmayes Lane, Goodmayes at 2pm on March 19.