KEY POINTS:
Police believe a notorious conman dubbed the "Wobbly Wheel Burglar" is behind the theft of more than $55,000 from elderly women.
The man tricks his way into the women's homes - either by pretending to be testing their water or by saying he noticed sparks coming from their cars - then steals cashflow and credit cards while they are distracted.
He then impersonates police, telling the women their cards have been handed in and that he'll call the bank and sort things out. Minutes later they get a call from "the bank" and arrangements are made for getting a new card.
It's often days before the women realise there is no replacement card and that they have been tricked into giving out their PIN numbers.
The man's methods and description closely match that of Fred Snell, a man who was dubbed the Wobbly Wheel Burglar in 2003 after he stole $70,000 from more than 20 pensioners in a similar way.
He got his nickname because he told women he had been following them and noticed their car had a wobbly wheel, which he could fix.
In the latest scam police believe Snell is using a new line, telling women that there are sparks coming from their cars.
Police have security camera footage of a man, believed to be Snell, using some of the victims' stolen cards. A second man has also been caught on camera and is before the courts.
Snell, who goes by up to 15 different names including Lesley Williams, Greg Porter, Fred Harris and Greg Wilkins, is in his early 40s and believed to be living in the Auckland area. He is known to drive an older-model red Toyota Hilux.
Police believe Snell has tricked his way into the homes of more than a dozen Auckland pensioners since the beginning of the year. The oldest victim, who is 94, lost $10,000.
In some cases it is alleged Snell, armed with a clipboard and fluoro vest, pretends he is from the council, Metrowater or Watercare and says he needs to test the water.
While the trusting victims are turning taps on and off in the bathroom he is in the kitchen going through their handbags.
In other cases he approaches women while they are out shopping or as they are driving home and tells them that sparks have been coming from their car. He then offers to look at the problem.
Later that day the women, many of whom live in retirement villages, receive a phone call from a "police officer" and then from the "bank".
By the time they realise they have been scammed into giving out their PIN numbers and personal details, their accounts have been emptied.
While the banks have replaced most of the money, some of the victims are still out of pocket.
Police say there is a warrant for Snell's arrest for a breach of bail relating to other allegations that he charged thousands of dollars worth of tools to other people's Mitre 10 accounts on several occasions last year.
Anyone with information about Snell's exact location is asked to call their nearest police station.
People with general information are asked to contact Constable Rob Thow on 353-0583 or Detective Constable Andrew Smith on 302-6527.
