A man posing as a painter and decorator has taken £500 from an elderly man.

Kyriacos Taliotis, 84, of New Southgate, was leaving a dental surgery in Hazelwood Lane, Palmers Green when a Greek man, claiming to be a handyman, offered to complete work on Mr Taliotis’ home.

The man had persuaded the 84-year-old he was a builder and followed him to a bank in Green Lanes, where he took £300 from him.

He then followed the elderly man to a grocery store where he took a further £200 from him.

The supposed builder spoke Greek to Mr Taliotis and claimed to be from Famagusta, in Cyprus, calling himself ‘Marios’.

Police are keen to track down the man and have release CCTV images of the suspect.

To assist the police, call Detective Constable Daley Jones of Enfield CID by dialling 101 and quoting reference number 2413573/14.