The Lucea police are searching for a woman who tricked and robbed an elderly woman of more than $40,000 and her cellular phone.

The senior citizen, from Copperwood, Lucea, Hanover, told THE STAR that the con artist visited her house on Monday and identified herself as her sister's god-daughter. Though she had never met the woman, she believed her story because she knew her sister's name.

She told THE STAR, "She was about 25 years old and she spoke with an accent. She said her name was Brown, but I don't remember the first name. It was raining and she asked if she could get some water. She said she was vacationing in Negril and had come with two of her friends to take care of their sick mother."

suspicious

The elderly woman became suspicious of the young woman when she tried to call her sister overseas to verify her story, and she took the phone from her. Shortly before the woman left to catch the JUTA bus she broke down in tears, telling the victim that she was overwhelmed by the task of caring for her friends' mother. "She just started crying. I've never seen so many tears before, even if I had a death, I don't think I would cry that much," she said.

She said the woman asked to use the bathroom before leaving and she allowed her to. She continued, "She went to use the bathroom and I just ran downstairs for a second. I followed her to take the bus and when I got back home, my mobile gone and over $40,000 in different currencies and she took my jewels. I don't know how fast she work. She's a professional."

tattoo

The women reportedly made off with J$17,000, US$100 and £200. She is about 5ft 5 inches tall, of dark complexion, weighs about 125 lbs and sports braided hair. She also has a tattoo just above her ankle.

The victim, who did not want her name published, out of fear, said, "My phone is my lifeline to my children and my family. I just want to warn people to be very vigilant and watch how you open your doors. I didn't know she would be ravaging my things so fast."

The Constabulary Communication Network's liaison officer for the parish, Constable Rohan Reid, confirmed that the matter had been reported to the police and said investigations were ongoing.