Elderly women targeted by NSW phone

NSW detectives are closing in on a man accused of stealing more than $40,000 from two elderly women by tricking them into handing over personal information.

The man contacted his most recent victim, a 91-year-old, in mid-February, telling her he had found her purse after visiting a Central Coast nursing home but wanted to confirm her identity before returning it.

The woman later realised about $30,000 had been stolen from her bank account.

On Thursday, police released CCTV of the suspect wearing high-vis construction clothing and leaving a Domayne furniture store in Newcastle.

Police said they had linked the incident to a similar offence in November last year when a 93-year-old woman was also tricked into handing over her financial details by a man posing as a bank manager.

"The man claimed the woman's wallet had been found, and requested the woman confirm a number of personal details which would authenticate her identity," police said.

She was then fleeced of more than $12,000.

Police have called for help from the public to identify the suspect, saying he was aged in his 40s and may drive a grey Toyota Kluger.