A HAMPSHIRE pensioner has been conned out of £24,000 by a smooth-talking conman.

The 70-year-old victim received a phone call from someone who called himself Mr Smith and claimed he was from the "Visa fraud department authority team".

He described "suspicious" transactions on her bank card and then tricked her into withdrawing large amounts of cash from her account.

After visiting her bank the victim then took the money back to her house in Bramley Close, Lymington, and waited for a courier to collect it.

A police spokesman said: "When the 'courier' arrived her convinced her that the money she had withdrawn was fake and offered to take it away for her.

"She handed it over and she did not hear from this man again.

"The offenders got away with £24,000."

The man who stole the cash was of medium build, Eastern European appearance, about 5ft 10ins, with dark hair and a longish face.

PC Craig Shears, said: “This was a horrific crime where the offenders have taken £24,000 of this woman’s hard earned cash.

"The man on the phone and the courier are likely to be two different people working together to con their victims out of money.

“We want to warn residents that these requests are not genuine and that no bank would operate in this manner.

"Anyone who receives a suspicious call is urged not to give any details to the caller and to report the matter to the police immediately.

“If you have elderly or vulnerable relatives, friends or neighbours please make them aware of this scam and remind them not to give any details to unexpected callers.

"Remain alert and if you see them being approached by unexpected visitors please check who they are and ensure they are a legitimate caller.”