INTERNET fraudsters have conned a 75-year-old Southampton woman out of more than £7,000.

The pensioner was the victim of an email scam which targeted a local business which had done work on her property.

Police are also looking into three other similar offences.

The victim received an emailed invoice for some work that had been carried out at her home by a small business she employed.

Another invoice later appeared in her inbox, from the same email address, but with a note explaining that the bank details had been amended due to a banking issue.

The lady visited her local bank and transferred more than £7000 to the account mentioned in the second invoice.

The business email account had been hacked with the fraudster able to monitor, read and send emails without the owner being aware.

Officers from Hampshire police have today issued advice following the scam.

Detective Inspector Paul Masters told the Daily Echo: “Both the woman and this small local business have been conned, resulting in the loss of thousands of pounds.

“The fraudster used the real invoice as a template so it looked legitimate, but had changed the bank account details, telephone number and email address to trick the woman into sending the money to them, instead of the company who had carried out the work.

“We are currently investigating three other similar offences which have reported to us, in the last month, the most recent being reported yesterday.

“Even if, as in this case, you are expecting an invoice for works or services it is important to contact the business using a known and trusted telephone number, not one from an invoice. Double check with the business or trade that the bank details you intend to pay are correct and match those which you have been sent.

“Ensure that you have enabled Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication with all your accounts to alert you to logons not completed by yourself. Be aware of only opening email attachments from people you trust and even then if it's unexpected check with them first.”

Anyone with information should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44190052840.