Scam tricks elderly victims out of £350,000

Council chiefs issued a warning today over fraudsters who have tricked elderly and vulnerable people out of more than £350,000 with a bogus prize draw.

The scam uses people as "money mules" to bank cheques from other victims and transfer it to the con artists, effectively laundering the cash. So far 22 have been fleeced and some have lost all their life savings.

Targets are told they have won a prize draw of up to £500,000, but need to pay fees to collect their prize. They are told to send the fee to UK "agents" but these people are in fact other victims. The "agents", who have already lost money in the scam, are told that if they bank the cheques and transfer the cash to Canada, it will help release their own "winnings". The fraudsters then collect the cash in Canada.

Westminster is working with British and Canadian police to find those responsible. Anyone contacted about an alleged prize draw or lottery win should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.