A woman in her eighties was left badly shaken after four men forced their way into her home in the outskirts of Belfast.
One of the men, pretending to be from a utility company, first entered the property in the Larch Grove area of Dunmurry at around 2.20pm on Sunday.
Police said he was "subsequently joined by three other males, who were wearing masks and gloves".
Detective Inspector Daniel Kelly said: "The lady was pushed into the living room, where she was ordered to sit down and was locked in, while the men rummaged through various rooms in the house.
"At this stage it’s not known what, if anything, was taken.
"One thing, however, is certain. This cowardly and despicable intrusion has left the occupant badly shaken.
"The first of the four suspects, who was not wearing a mask, is described as being aged in his late forties, tall, with short dark hair and wearing a navy anorak.
"It’s believed the four may have been travelling in a black hatchback with tinted windows, possibly a Volkswagen Golf or similar."
Police have appealed for information.
