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OAP loses £16,000 in e-mail scam OAP loses £16,000 in e-mail scam
(about 2 hours 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 remortgaged 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 CarpenterYou 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 e-mail 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 said she did not have the money.
Date-of-birthDate-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 remortgage 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.""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.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.