In one instance the victim was so distressed he ended up in hospital.
The first took place between 1pm and 2pm on Sunday, June 14, on Newton Road, Lowton, when an 88-year-old woman answered the door to a man saying he was from the water board.


He was wearing a high visibility vest and said that he was investigating complaints of dirty water in the area. He told the victim that he needed to check the pipes in the back garden.
It is believed that while the woman showed the offender to the back garden, an accomplice went in the front door and stole money from inside the house.


At 4.45pm on Monday, June 15, on Alderley Lane, Leigh, a victim in his 80s was visited by a man claiming to work for a scaffolding company.
The caller convinced the pensioner that they knew each other and asked for £300 for his service.
He left with the cash, having done no work, in a blue or green van.


At 9am on Wednesday, June 17, on Wensley Road, Lowton, a 92-year-old man answered the phone to a man, who said that he was from energy company Eaga and needed to do a security check.
After a second call from him, the victim refused to let him carry out the checks and the man said that he would call back in an hour, but failed to do so.

Eaga was contacted and the victim was told they do not perform checks like that and the victim then contacted police.
At 2.15pm the same day on Hope Carr Lane, Leigh, a man posing as a council worker visited an 88-year-old man.
The bogus council worker told the man that his chimney needed fixing and it would cost £100.
The victim let the man in to discuss the matter but while he was making a cup of tea, the offender drove off in a blue van. A substantial amount of cash had been taken.


Police were called and while officers were with the victim, he began struggling to breathe and was taken to hospital where he he is receiving treatment for breathing difficulties.
PC Amy Edgington, based at Leigh Police Station, said: "It is utterly shameful that someone would so cruelly trick some of the most vulnerable members of our community in this way."

One of the men involved is described as a white man aged in his 40s, about 5ft 7ins tall and chubby. He was possibly driving a blue van and may also have been seen in a blue or green car.
A second offender is described as a white man aged 25 to 30, of slim build, with short dark hair.


Anyone with information is asked to call police in Leigh on (0161) 856 7229 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on (0800) 555111.