The Craven Neighbourhood Policing Team has warned people to be on their guard after fake lottery letters were delivered to homes in the area.

The letters inform homeowners that they have won a substantial amount of money in a foreign lottery, such as in Canada or Spain, and request bank details and a tax and transfer fee before the prize can be claimed.

Inspector Sue Sanderson, of the Craven Neighbourhood Policing Team, said that in one case an elderly woman had contacted the police after she sent off a £3,000 cheque expecting to receive £185,000 in return, but had heard nothing.

Insp Sanderson said: “In the last two weeks we have received more reports about this type of letter.

“The letters often claim to be from the Canadian or Spanish lotteries telling people how they have come to win the money and how to claim their winnings.

“Accompanying the letter is a payment process requesting personal information, including bank details, but people should not fill this in.

“Instead, they should contact Consumer Direct on 0845 4040 506 and report the matter.”

Insp Sanderson said that when the letters were traced, they were often found to have been sent from different areas of the UK.

She added that vulnerable people like the elderly were more likely to fall victim to this type of crime.