Four elderly people fell victim to bogus burglars in the space of three hours in Golborne.
Between 2.45pm and 3pm on Thursday 14 July 2011, a 91-year-old woman answered the door to her home on John Street, Golborne to two men.
They claimed they were there to read the water meter so the victim let them in, pointing to where the meter was.
They walked passed her, searched drawers and cupboards before leaving empty handed.
The men had moved her Zimmer frame so she could not walk into the kitchen.
Later that day, at around 4.30pm, a 87-year-old victim answered the door to a man on Dale Road, Golborne.
He told him he thought the water was poisoned and he would need to check.
The man asked the victim to turn kitchen taps on and flush the downstairs toilet. As he did this, two more men walked into the living room and stole personal items and a large amount of cash before all three left.
Another incident was reported to police at a house on Whitledge Road, Bryn by an 82-year-old woman at 6.05pm. A man flushed her outside toilet and claimed he needed to come in as it was causing neighbours toilets to overflow.
The final incident happened at the home of a 74-year-old victim on Eldon Gardens, Bryn at about 6.15pm.
Two men claimed they wanted to check the flow of water and told the victim to keep watch.
One man searched the house and when the victim walked into the kitchen, both men left empty handed.
The men are described as being white, in their mid 20s, and spoke with local accents. They were wearing jeans and were clean shaven.
Inspector Liz Sanderson from Atherton Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "This type of crime is despicable and offenders deliberately target elderly and vulnerable people as they are seen as easy pickings.
"We are working to establish whether all four incidents are linked and officers are dedicated to finding those responsible for causing this misery.
"I would urge members of the community to think before you open the door. Look through your window or door viewer to see if you recognise them and don't open the door until you are happy with their identity.
"If you still have doubts, ask them to call back when either a family member, friend or neighbour can be present."
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