PLYMOUTH police have stopped West African fraudsters ripping-off a vulnerable woman after a tip-off from a local bank.

In June police were told that a large amount of cash was being transferred into a local account in suspicious circumstances.

As a result of enquiries police spoke to a local woman who was found in possession of a large amount of cash.

It was discovered that the woman was the victim of a money making scam that is normally initiated in West Africa.

A man, via Friends Reunited, had contacted the woman and a relationship started. The woman was told that the man was a serving member of the US Army in Afghanistan and that he wanted to leave the Army and live in the UK.

To help, the woman sent across an amount of cash to help.

A further story was then concocted that involved the purchase of shares in a company to provide an income for the couple when he was able to move to the UK.

The victim was asked to open up a new bank account and money would be paid into it from investors throughout the UK. Over £72,000 had been transferred by vulnerable women throughout the country. Police say they discovered that it soon became apparent that there were hundreds of victims who often had transferred their life savings in search of a new partner.

Once received, the money would have disappeared to Nigeria via a cash transfer service.

Police say all the investors appeared to have been told a variation of the story.

Detective Sergeant Mark Newnham said: “We hope to raise awareness about this scam that lures in women who are vulnerable to being emotionally manipulated to try to prevent further losses to victims and further gains to those working in internet cafes in West Africa.

“Please do not believe what you are told on some sites and under no circumstances should you send money unless you are 100 per cent sure that it is going for the right reasons.”