Residents warned over e-mail scam

People in York are being warned about an e-mail scam in which people are posing as teenagers and asking for help with schooling costs.

E-mails circulating the city claim to be from girls in foreign countries whose parents have been killed and want money for uniforms or university.

Matt Boxall, from City of York Council, said: "We believe scammers obtain names and address from directories."

People have been urged not to respond while Trading Standards investigates.

It said none of the educational establishments in the e-mails had been traced.

Mr Boxall added: "Using such heartless techniques are particularly distasteful and may deprive genuine charities of funds."