Police warning over internet scam

Police in Devon are warning people to be aware of an internet scam which has led to victims being tricked out of thousands of pounds.

Detectives were alerted when a Plymouth bank became suspicious because large sums of money were being transferred through one of its accounts.

Police said the scam involved fraudsters befriending people on social networking sites and asking for money.

They are urging people not to send cash to anyone they have only met online.

These people out there are so clever, they gain your trust Scam victim

According to police, the fraudsters claim to be serving in the US forces in the Middle East and start up an online friendship which tends to be with women.

Det Sgt Mark Newnham said: "Initially they are fairly low key - just correspondence and emails.

"But as things move on they request money for various reasons and those reasons and excuses became quite complex.

"For instance, helping their poorly children who were in America who couldn't afford to have health care and then moving on to shares in a company so that they could provide income when they eventually moved to the UK with their new partners."

After an online relationship, which lasted almost a year, one woman was persuaded to open a bank account in Plymouth.

Over the course of several months more than £70,000 was deposited into her account from other victims. The money was then sent to Nigeria.

'Absolutely cruel'

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said people needed to be aware of the fraudsters' subtle techniques.

"I'm not a stupid person, I hold a very good job," she said.

"These people out there are so clever, they gain your trust.

"You want to be speaking to them because it is a nice feeling to be needed.

"Hundreds of women are affected like this and it's absolutely cruel but you don't realise it's happening. It just seems like its normal."