FRAUD squad officers have warned people across the region to be on their guard against new telephone scams, which have already proved convincing enough to persuade some to part with their money.

There has been a wave of recent reports about unsolicited calls from abroad from people claiming to represent lotteries or lawyers firms, offering sizeable sums as prizes or bequests.

However, before the recipient can benefit, they are asked to come up with cash in advance either for tax or other bureaucratic purposes.

Some have even received follow up calls, purporting to be from the Fraud Squad, assuring them the offer is genuine.

However, not only are the victims unlikely to receive what they have been promised, any money they may have paid in advance will also have been lost.

Those who have fallen for scams in the past may also find themselves targeted again - although the method may be different the next time.

Detective Sergeant Ian Illingworth from the North Yorkshire Fraud Squad yesterday warned anyone who receives telephone calls or mail offering generous prizes or an inheritance from a long-lost member of the family to treat them with suspicion.

"Remember the golden rule: if it seems too good to be true, it usually is," he said.