A WOMAN was tricked out of £9,000 after a recent telephone scam.

An elderly woman living in North Devon was contacted by telephone by a person claiming to be a detective constable from the Metropolitan Police.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: ‘She was told that someone was accessing her bank account and she needed to move it to a safe account. She was told ring 999 to confirm the information, however, the caller did not put the phone down so the line remained open.

‘The lady dialled 999 without realising the previous call had not disconnected and she spoke to who she thought was a police officer who then gave her a crime number.

‘She was told to go to the bank and withdraw a certain amount of cash and someone would visit her to collect the money. A person later called at her address and took the money.’

Devon and Cornwall Police have also warned local residents to not get caught out by ‘Brexit scammers’.

A spokesperson said: ‘If someone expectedly phones you claiming to be from a “Brexit team”, before asking for bank details to arrange advance payments for medications or other items, don’t be fooled. Hang up and make enquiries in your own time to check they are who they say.’

To report any suspicious incidents to Devon and Cornwall Police, email [email protected] or call 101.