Police are appealing for information about a man shown in CCTV footage who, along with a second suspect, conned an elderly woman out of at least £24,000. Image: Met Police

CCTV footage has been released by detectives in Southwark to try and identify one of two men who conned a 71 year old woman out of her savings.

The woman, who lives in Camberwell, received a phone call on the 6th December 2017 by a man claiming to be a police officer who needed help in a sting operation.

She was tricked into going to a bureau de change in the West End of London to buy Euros.

At 5 pm the same day, the woman handed over around £5,000 in Euros to a man on Buckingham Palace Road, SW1.

At 8.29 pm, she went to Oxenden Street, SW1, where she gave several thousands more Euros.

The next day, the woman was contacted once more with further requests for her help.

She handed over £7,000 to the second suspect on Cadogan Gardens, Sloane Square, in London, between 11.20 am and 12 pm.

Overall, the victim has lost over £24,000 as a result of this deception.

The Metropolitan Police have released CCTV footage in order to try and identify one of the suspects involved.

DC Michael Esangbedo of Southwark CID, said:

This was a cruel and heartless deception practised on a vulnerable, elderly woman. These men have clearly targeted the victim and I have no doubt that unless they are arrested they will continue to prey on the elderly and vulnerable. These men need to be caught and I would ask anyone with information to contact police or Crimestoppers immediately.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 or contact them via Twitter @MetCC quoting 3036717/17

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Appeal to trace a man who preyed on and defrauded an elderly woman out of £24,000 in #Southwark. Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting 3036717/17 pic.twitter.com/jb2bxuSPwz

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) January 15, 2018