Penioner's warning after email 'scam'

The 81-year-old - who didn’t want to be named - received an email last week offering him shares in a foreign company.

Those behind the email claimed anyone taking part would be guaranteed a 9% return - a startlingly high percentage in the current financial climate.

Shortly after receiving the email the local man - who has shares in another company - was phoned by those behind the email to see if he was interested in investing.

The figure being discussed was 2,500.

“When I heard the 9% being mentioned then the alarm bells started to go as I thought it was very generous,” the man told the Times.

“It seems a very good offer and I am concerned others may fall for it.

“I just wanted to make people aware that this is going on. As far as I’m concerned it seems dodgy.”

The man said he would be reporting the incident to police.

Email scams are prevalent at present and police have recently warned the public to be wary of such material.

Indeed the Times office received a scam email last week which would no doubt end up in a request for money.

It read: “Dear please I have decided to tell you because I have no other alternative.

“Since after the death of my father in the hands of the rebels I have been in a very big difficulty of how to safeguard the money that my father left for me before his death because, the money is too much that I am afraid I don’t know how and where to start to go about it.

”Please dear if you can help me try to reply me urgently, and I will tell you how much and explain more in details to you okay, so that we can discuss fully.

“God will always bless you for your help which i know you shall never regret as i am going to take you as my caretaker. I am waiting eagerly to hear from you. So stay cool and have a nice day.”

If you have any concerns regarding emails or post you receive seeking money contact police on 0845 600 8000.