A woman was conned out of thousands of pounds after being targeted by so-called romance fraud.
Now police in Kilmarnock have issued a warning to social media users not to be taken in by online scammers.
The 61-year-old was defrauded of £4000 after befriending a man online.
After forming a friendship he convinced her that he was in dire need of money.
He persuaded his victim to transfer several amounts of cash totalling £4000.
The woman then went to a local bank to transfer a further sum of money – but branch staff questioned the transaction and contacted police.
Officers spoke to the woman and established that the man she met online had been obtaining money through fraud.
PC Craig Marshall told the Standard: “We often get complaints of this nature once the person has got away with money.
“It’s important to remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.
“Never send money to someone you do not know and before sending any money please seek advice from your local bank.”
