A BOGUS water worker shook an 88-year-old woman's hand and thanked her after stealing her cash.
The victim was at her home at Keldregate in Deighton at 11am on Tuesday when the man called around and claimed there was a problem with her water supply.
He said he had rushed out that morning and forgotten his identity badge.
She let him in and he kept her busy in the kitchen filling pans with water and watching for a blue dye coming through the running tap.
While he did this an accomplice sneaked into the victim's home and stole money from her bedroom.
At one point the conman told the woman he did not want her to drink contaminated water and catch a chest infection.
He claimed he would return in the morning, shook her hand and thanked her before leaving.
He never went back.
Police believe the same thieves struck at the home of a couple in their 80s at Scott Hill, Clayton West, at 1.20pm last Thursday.
Then they claimed there had been an explosion nearby and were there to check the water.
Again they talked about a blue dye and money was stolen from a bedroom.
As at Clayton West, the thief who approached the victim in Deighton spoke with a strong Irish accent.
He is white, in his mid 30s, 5ft 8ins and very thin with a thin face and straight dark brown hair.
He wore dark clothes which had a flash of white on them.
Pc Dave McSweeney, of Huddersfield police, said: "We are anxious to warn other potential victims that we believe these crimes are linked and these men could try to trick their way into other homes.
"If anyone is approached by them or sees them calling at houses, they should call the police immediately."
Anyone with information should contact Pc Peter Warwick on 01484 436664.
