Police are urging people to check identification thoroughly

Detectives said one gang may have targeted a number of pensioners in just three days.

Three smartly dressed men wearing gloves stole money from houses in Buchlyvie and Grangemouth on Sunday.

The same conmen may have robbed an 80-year-old man in Midlothian on Monday and an elderly woman in Dundee on Tuesday.

A pensioner in Galashiels and people in a block of flats in Perth have also been targeted by bogus callers.

Central Scotland Police said a gang pretending to be repairmen stole a three-figure sum of money from a house in Buchlyvie's Main Street at about 1600 BST on Sunday.

Smartly dressed

An hour later, a similar amount was taken from an 83-year-old man in Portal Road in Grangemouth.

The gang may have struck again in Rosewell on Monday.

Three men who claimed to be working for the council forced their way into a pensioner's home at about 1230 BST.

Detectives said the 80-year-old man was "shaken" by his ordeal.

We are liaising with other forces to investigate any links between these cases Det Insp Ian Motion

Tayside Police have been trying to find a gang of three men who stole money from a woman in Dundee's Gourdie Terrace at about 1800 BST on Tuesday.

The suspects in all four cases have been described as smartly dressed with short dark hair. One was in his 40s and the others in their 20s.

Witnesses in the central belt said the men wore gloves and were driving a dark-coloured or black car.

Lothian and Borders Police said they were investigating possible links with another incident, this time in Galashiels.

Officers are looking for a man who was found in a house in Glendinning Terrace at about 1415 BST on Monday.

Other incidents

He was about 5ft 2in tall, stocky, with short dark, gelled hair and was wearing smart black trousers and a white shirt. He may have been driving a dark-coloured car.

Det Insp Ian Motion from Central Scotland Police told the BBC Scotland news website: "We are aware of other incidents in Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland where there are similarities.

"We are liaising with other forces to investigate any links between these cases."

Meanwhile, Tayside Police have been trying to find a man who tried to con his way into a block of flats in Perth at about 1730 BST on Monday.

It can be very difficult, especially for an elderly person, to tell the difference between a genuine caller and a criminal Donald Campbell Crime prevention officer

He had asked to check drains and water supplies in seven properties in Lickely Court, but left when asked for identification.

Tayside Police said they did not think that case was linked to the others.

Crime prevention officer Donald Campbell urged householders not to let strangers into their homes.

He said: "It can be very difficult, especially for an elderly person, to tell the difference between a genuine caller and a criminal.

"You should always ask the caller to produce and hand over identification for you to examine. If in any doubt, contact their office to check them out.

"If the caller is genuine they will not mind returning at a time you choose. Contact a neighbour or dial 999 if you are still suspicious."