A man hunt is underway after a thief spent three days conning an 87-year-old woman out of £15,000.

The victim, who asked not to be named, answered her phone on October 25 to a man claiming to be an officer called Gavin from Paddington Green police station investigating fake bank notes.

The conman then told the pensioner to hang up and call police non-emergency number 101 to confirm he was who he said he was.

But her phone rang a second time before she could dial with the voice at the end of the line telling her ‘Gavin’ was legit.

The suspect called back sending the elderly lady to her bank after ordering her to take out £4,000.

When she returned the trickster called a third time to say someone was on the way over to pick up the cash.

A man arrived and the victim, from Paddington, handed over an envelope with the money inside.

The very next day the con artist called again collecting another £4,000 after making the same demand.

And on the next day he called a third time extracting £7,000 more after sending her in a taxi to another bank in a bid to hide his con trick from the bank.

However, the second bank was closed so the lady went back to the branch where she made the firts two withdrawals, raising suspicions amongst staff who then called the police.

DC Karl Lewis, leading the investigation, said: “An elderly woman believed she was assisting a police officer, and had £15,000 stolen from her by an unscrupulous thief.

“We ask the public to contact us with any information they have about the man. Your call might stop another vulnerable person becoming a victim.

“We would like to remind people under no circumstances would officers call a member of the public and ask cash to be withdrawn from a bank account,” he added.

The suspect is described as white, around 5ft 4ins with short curly hair. He is around 30-years-old, of athletic build and clean shaven with tanned skin. He was softly and well-spoken with an English accent. He was smartly dressed and wearing light brown clothes.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC.

To give information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers