Warning Over 'Euromillions' Scam

Grampian Police have issued a warning over lottery scams after an elderly woman was cheated out of £24,000.

The woman parted with the money, in two instalments, after she received a letter saying she had won a substantial prize in the Euromillions lottery.

Grampian Police Community Safety Officer Inspector Roddy MacInnes said: "This is another example of someone being caught out by what they think is a genuine letter - and being caught out by the thought of huge winnings.

"This was quite a sophisticated scam in that the second payment was paid into a genuine and unsuspecting British company's account.

"This was used as payment for vehicle parts sent to another part of the world, which in turn were sold on by the criminals."

The victim, who is in her 70s and from the Aberdeen area, was persuaded to contact a phone number after receiving the letter telling her she had won a major Euromillions prize.

A man at the other end of the line convinced her to send two sums of money - totalling £24,000 - into nominated bank accounts to allow her to claim her 'prize'.

She only realised she had been scammed when contacted by her bank.

Inspector MacInnes warned that the incident was the latest in a long line of frauds that have happened in the north east, from fake shares to websites being cloned.

He added: "This was a cruel fraud perpetrated against a vulnerable and elderly victim.

"We are no more prone to this kind of crime than anywhere else in the country, but people should remain on their guard.

"Anyone who receives an unsolicited telephone call or letter suggesting they have won a huge sum or could make vast amounts of money should be suspicious straight away."

(PR/GK)