Bogus Lanarkshire callers posed as detectives
Police are hunting two bogus detectives who stole thousands of pounds from an elderly man and woman in separate incidents.
On each occasion, two men claiming to be local CID officers said they were investigating bogus callers.
They asked the householders if they had any large sums of money or jewellery in the house they could security tag, before stealing it.
The incidents happened in Airdrie and Rutherglen on Tuesday.
In the first incident an 81-year-old man was targeted in Tummel Drive, Airdrie, at about 09:20.
He handed over a four-figure sum of money which the men said they would need to take away to be "security marked".
They left with the money, and their victim later noticed that a gold Rolex watch, also worth a four-figure sum, and other jewellery was missing from the house.
At 10:30 the same morning, an 85-year-old woman in Blairbeth Road, Rutherglen, gave a three-figure sum of money to the men, again after a similar approach to have the money security marked.
When they left she realised they had taken the money with them, along with a gold ring and three gold necklaces, again estimated to have a total value in four figures.
The first suspect was described as being white, 47 to 54 years of age, 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, with a broad build, a tanned complexion and greying hair.
He had a Scottish accent and was wearing a dark suit, dark tie and a white shirt.
His accomplice was also white, 20 to 25 years of age, 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall, with a slim build, slim face and sharp features.
He was wearing a blue overcoat, shirt and dark denims.
Det Ch Insp Pat Campbell, of Coatbridge CID, said both victims had previously been tricked by other bogus callers.
He added: "It beggars belief how devious, manipulative and callous these people are. To prey on people's trust, vulnerability or naivety is abhorrent.
"Impersonating police officers to con people is fairly uncommon and it would appear that these men have been quite convincing in their guise.
"However, police officers would not solicit this kind of approach and would certainly not offer to take items from a house to return them later.
"These cowards cannot be allowed to con any more people."
He appealed for anyone with information about the men to contact Coatbridge Police Office or Crimestoppers.