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| OAP loses £16,000 in e-mail scam | OAP loses £16,000 in e-mail scam |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| An 80-year-old widow was conned out of £16,000 and almost re-mortgaged her home after falling for an e-mail scam. | An 80-year-old widow was conned out of £16,000 and almost re-mortgaged her home after falling for an e-mail scam. |
| The pensioner, from Bridgend, believed she would inherit $30m (£14.6m) after receiving an e-mail saying she was the only relative of a dead businessman. | The pensioner, from Bridgend, believed she would inherit $30m (£14.6m) after receiving an e-mail saying she was the only relative of a dead businessman. |
| It said the wealthy German and his wife had died in a Concorde crash in 2000 about which she was later sent faked BBC news website reports. | It said the wealthy German and his wife had died in a Concorde crash in 2000 about which she was later sent faked BBC news website reports. |
| Detectives from South Wales Police are investigating the scam. | Detectives from South Wales Police are investigating the scam. |
| Pc Steve Carpenter was contacted by the woman's daughter when she learned about the scam. | Pc Steve Carpenter was contacted by the woman's daughter when she learned about the scam. |
| He said: "It said she had inherited $30m from a relative which was a wealthy German businessman and his wife who were killed in a Concorde crash in 2000." | He said: "It said she had inherited $30m from a relative which was a wealthy German businessman and his wife who were killed in a Concorde crash in 2000." |
| You get a sick feeling in your stomach and loathing of these people Pc Steve Carpenter | You get a sick feeling in your stomach and loathing of these people Pc Steve Carpenter |
| An email said the crash in which the woman's "relative" had died had happened in Monchengladbach, Germany. The actual Concorde crash in 2000, in which 113 people died, happened in Paris. | An email said the crash in which the woman's "relative" had died had happened in Monchengladbach, Germany. The actual Concorde crash in 2000, in which 113 people died, happened in Paris. |
| Pc Carpenter said the pensioner who was drawn into a dialogue with the scammers resulting in around 300 e-mails wanted to remain anonymous. | Pc Carpenter said the pensioner who was drawn into a dialogue with the scammers resulting in around 300 e-mails wanted to remain anonymous. |
| He said: "She's 80 years old but was quite internet aware, aware of junk mail but this one was quite well written, well presented and got her attention." | He said: "She's 80 years old but was quite internet aware, aware of junk mail but this one was quite well written, well presented and got her attention." |
| Over a month, the woman, who lives in Brackla in Bridgend, was told she had been traced as the only relative of the dead couple who had left her $30m in their will, said Pc Carpenter. | Over a month, the woman, who lives in Brackla in Bridgend, was told she had been traced as the only relative of the dead couple who had left her $30m in their will, said Pc Carpenter. |
| He said: "She sent various amounts totalling £16,000.The thing is she's drawn the money out willingly from her own bank so from the bank's point of view there is not a lot they can do." | He said: "She sent various amounts totalling £16,000.The thing is she's drawn the money out willingly from her own bank so from the bank's point of view there is not a lot they can do." |
| After she had paid the scammers £16,000, she was told £10,000 more was required but the widow the said she did not have the money. | After she had paid the scammers £16,000, she was told £10,000 more was required but the widow the said she did not have the money. |
| Date-of-birth | |
| Pc Carpenter said: "They asked her could she re-mortgage her house. She said 'I need to tell my daughter' and they said 'don't tell your daughter, keep it quiet'." | Pc Carpenter said: "They asked her could she re-mortgage her house. She said 'I need to tell my daughter' and they said 'don't tell your daughter, keep it quiet'." |
| However, the woman did tell her daughter who then contacted the police. | However, the woman did tell her daughter who then contacted the police. |
| "You get a sick feeling in your stomach and loathing of these people" said Pc Carpenter. "I believe they did know her age as she had to pass on her date-of-birth and details to carry on the deception." | |
| Pc Carpenter urged people not to fall for similar scams and said: "My advice is if in doubt, leave it out. If you suspect anything, don't open it, delete it. | |
| "If it's suspect, it's suspect. If there's any element of doubt, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is." | "If it's suspect, it's suspect. If there's any element of doubt, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is." |
| He also advised anyone who receives a scam e-mail to contact Crimestoppers. | He also advised anyone who receives a scam e-mail to contact Crimestoppers. |