Police Scotland has issued a warning after an elderly Tullibody woman was conned out of £100 in an “elaborate scam”, and it was only her vigilance that saved her from losing another £400.

Earlier this month, the 75-year-old lady received a telephone call from someone claiming that she was due an £8000 refund from the UK Government. But, the local resident was told she would first need to transfer £100 before the four-figure-sum could be released to her.

The lady travelled to her local post office and transferred the sum to an account in India and was told someone from the Bank of England would call her back in order to arrange the release of the promised £8000. During that phone call she was told she needed to pay an additional £400.

At this point the woman became suspicious, realising the call may not be genuine and refused to pay the sum.

Alloa’s Detective Constable Grant Stronach said: “This incident has all the hallmarks of a sophisticated telephone scam, but thankfully the woman was suspicious and did not pay the £400 requested.”