Conmen tricked a 60-year-old man out of £15,000 - then returned to scam him again.

But the victim sussed out the ruse and reported the fraudsters.

In 2014 the man, from Waddon, was called by someone who offered to fix loose tiles on his roof but, knowing it was a scam, the man called Croydon Council’s trading standards and reported it.

But when he discovered a leak in his roof early last year he hired workers through a “friend of a friend”, who told him his chimney and guttering also need fixing and conned him out of £15,000.

Over the last few weeks he has been called on again by other scammers trying to pressure him into paying for more work but he wasn’t fooled twice and reported it to trading standards.

Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice, said: “This case shows that even the careful can be caught out by these skilled conmen.

“This resident had previously suspected a scam and done the right thing by calling our trading standards team.

“Despite that, however, he later fell victim to rogue roofers and was taken for £15,000.

“Thankfully, he’s learned his lesson and he took advice from our officers before being caught a second time.

“Always ask for the full name and position of the person you are speaking to, and, if in doubt, put down the phone and check their credentials, or ask a friend or relative to do so for you.”

Conmen often call months, or even a couple of years, after the initial scam and claim to be a trading standards or police officer investigating the person who carried out the work, according to the council.

Trading standards and police would not ask a resident to hand over their money.

Report any suspicious callers to the police on 101 or the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.