Residents of Moray who have been duped into sending cash in a postal scam are being refunded.
The National Trading Standards team, who tackle dishonest schemes, have intercepted mail form across the UK that was sent in response to fraudulent offers.
Among the letters seized, were 15 from the Moray area and these are now being returned to their senders.
The envelopes contained cheques, postal or bank card details, and were mostly related to bogus prize draws.
The mail has been forwarded to Moray Council’s trading standards team, which is now in the process of returning the money to its rightful owners.
Stuart Duncan, the authority’s trading standards officer, said: “This is the first batch of mail we have had returned to us and the total value of the orders was just over £100.
“But that is really only the tip of the iceberg and doesn’t reflect the scale of the exploitation of vulnerable victims.
“Nearly all the victims to whom we are returning the mail are in their 70s or older.
“The only sure way not to get caught out is to put scam mail where it belongs – in the bin – and not reply to it.”
In a further attempt to protect potential victims, posties have been keeping vigil over residents they fear may be responding to bogus mail.
Staff are asked to look out for frequent or unusual deliveries, and to inform their managers if they have concerns.
Nearly 30 properties have already been reported as being at risk.
Mr Duncan added: “One elderly man we have been assisting paid out more than £400 in one month alone in scams.
“We don’t know how long he has been replying to scam mail but we believe it is around five years.”
Anyone who thinks a friend or family member has been the victim should contact the Citizens Advice consumer
service team on 03454 040506.