Police are warning the public to be on their guard after an 89-year-old woman from Porth became the victim of a telephone scam, losing £1500 just before Christmas.
The elderly woman agreed to wire money via her local Post Office after she received a number of calls throughout December from somebody claiming to be from a Government Department.
She was promised a tax refund of £5600, but was advised she would have to pay four separate sums of money totalling nearly £1500 via her Post Office to receive the sum.
The scam gains the trust of the victim by confirming some personal details of their bank accounts when the original call is made.
It is believed that the scam is co-ordinated overseas as the number used to make the calls is untraceable, and the female caller spoke with a foreign accent.
Officers are warning the public to be on their guard for elderly relatives or friends who may be extra vulnerable, and to report anything suspicious.
Cashiers working in financial service branches are also advised to be on the lookout, for older people especially, who may be drawing out or transferring unusually large amounts of money.
