POLICE have issued a warning today to the elderly and vulnerable after an 86-year-old Ipswich man paid more than £18,000 to fraudsters. The man, who has not been named, was a victim of a foreign lottery scam.

POLICE have issued a warning today to the elderly and vulnerable after an 86-year-old Ipswich man paid more than £18,000 to fraudsters.

The man, who has not been named, was a victim of a foreign lottery scam.

Det Sgt Richard Crabtree (corr) from the Suffolk Force Intelligence Bureau said: "We are aware that a number of people have been contacted either by the phone or in writing and told that they have won large sums of money."

"The perpetrators of this fraud are very convincing and victims are easily swept away with the excitement of winning.

"They don't just ask for one sum but come up with complicated reasons for asking for more and more.

"It is very rare that you receive something for nothing in this life and that is true of these scams."

Police are aware of six people who have been contacted since February this year to be told they have won money.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said the elderly and vulnerable appear to be targeted by con men and woman.

Victims are told that tax and administration costs need to be paid on the winnings before the money can be released and they are instructed to send money to addresses in countries which include Holland, Canada or the USA.

"Sums of up to £5,000 at a time are asked for, usually in the form of money grams which are to be obtained from the Post Office. Police are warning the public not to part with their money, as the chances are, that they will never see it or the winnings again," said the spokesman.

Anyone who is approached and told they have won a foreign lottery should be extremely cautious. Police are interested in any correspondence or calls received regarding these scams and anyone targeted should contact them on 01473 613500.

Have you been the victim of a scam? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk