Eagle-eyed Post Office staff stepped in to stop a vulnerable Scots pensioner from sending cash to scammers in India via MoneyGram.
Staff at Premier West End on Broomlands Street in Paisley foiled the attempted scam and saved the OAP from sending £1,500 to the callous crooks on Tuesday, February 15.
MoneyGram is a service which provides overseas cash transfer to those who may not have a bank account or want to use an alternative service and can be done by filling out a form at the Post Office.
The scammers had gained access to the elderly woman's computer and even got into her webcam before threatening to wipe her PC and bank account if she didn't go down to the Post Office and send over the cash.
They had initially told her that they were from Microsoft - but when things got nasty they demanded that she send over the money to "make it all go away."
They also told her to use her sisters name as the recipient to avoid any suspicion.
Staff at the shop noticed the frightened old lady acting out of character and when they asked her why she was sending the cash she told them she believed they could "hear her".
Premier West End Paisley and Post Office bosses said in a post on Facebook: "When the customer came into the Post Office, she was visibly shook and had asked us for a Moneygram form.
"As this was out of character, we asked if she knew who she was sending the amount to. She whispered, "they can hear me and that I just need to send it."
"We informed her that this was a scam and immediately contacted the police, who confirmed it was a scam.
"Never transfer money to someone you don't know. Please also look out for the elderly as this is now sadly becoming more frequent."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Anyone with concerns they may be the victim of fraud should contact police on 101."
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