Two men have been charged in relation to two incidents of alleged fraud which resulted in two elderly women in Cork city losing €15,000.
Gardaí in Watercourse Road in the city received two reports of suspected fraud on September 3 and September 29.
In the first incident, two men called to a house offering building services which were never carried out.
In the second incident, one of the men pretended to be a relative of one of the neighbours.
Both home owners, who are women aged in their 70s and 80s, handed over a combined total of €15,000.
Detectives from the Crime Hub in Cork city carried out an investigation and subsequently conducted a search operation at two houses in Killarney yesterday morning.
The operation was assisted by the Armed Support Unit and gardaí from Killarney.
The two men, who are both in their 20s, were arrested and brought to Mayfield garda station in Cork.
They have since been charged and are due to appear at Cork District Court tomorrow morning.
Speaking at Anglesea Street garda station, Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Tony Davis said: "Incidents like this are getting all too familiar."
He advised people who have elderly or vulnerable neighbours and who may be aware of bogus traders to inform gardaí.
He said: "If you suspect that anyone who calls to your door selling goods or services is not who they say they are, tell them you are not interested and call the gardaí immediately.
"Genuine trades people won't be offended by any queries the gardaí may make.
He advised people answering the door to 'cold callers' to apply a chain or door limiter before opening the door.
He also asked people who feel like they or someone they know who may have paid for building work or other services that was not carried out to report the matter.
