Telecaller scam in UK involving 'Indian Official'

A caller who identified himself as an official of the Government of India recently tricked an old British woman of her Christmas money by promising her thousands of pounds if she sent him small amounts as 'fees'.

A caller who identified himself as an official of the Government of India recently tricked an old British woman of her Christmas money by promising her thousands of pounds if she sent him small amounts as 'fees'.

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The scam was revealed in Lancashire when Post Office workers became suspicious of her visiting 16 times in less than two months to send cash abroad.

The pensioner, 85, who asked not to be named, told media that she would receive a phone call promising her thousands of pounds in cash if she sent amounts between 50 pounds and 100 pounds to pay fees they claimed were needed to release the money.

Based in Preston, Lancashire, she said she felt like "a fool" at being tricked but admitted that she would still be sending the cash if the Post Office had not stepped in.

Several people have reportedly received similar calls.

"The first time they phoned they said they were a Government official in India and if I sent 100 pounds, they would give me 6,000 pounds. I went down the Post Office and sent it through a MoneyGram, then they called when I got in and took the reference number so they could cash it in," she said.