Pensioners lose £40k in lottery scam

TWO pensioners from the Lothians each lost around £40,000 after being targeted by a criminal gang who tricked them into believing they had won the Canadian lottery.

The 91-year-old man from Edinburgh and an 84-year-old woman from East Lothian were contacted by fraudsters purporting to be agents from a company called LottoXchange, based in California.

Despite the fact they had never entered the lottery, the victims were told that they had won a large prize, but to claim the cash they would have to pay "taxes".

While the elderly woman had the funds available to pay, the man did not. However, he was told that the firm would help pay, as long as it was repaid.

Despite not receiving any winnings, the elderly man continued to pay off the 40,000 he believed had been loaned.

A police spokesman said: "In effect, the victims have been laundering the cash before it was sent abroad, making it more difficult to recover.

"We are warning anyone who may be in contact with LottoXchange to avoid accepting any funds. Instead, they should notify police."