A PENSIONER has been conned out of £1,150 by a smooth-talking man who claimed he was working for a company which retrieved prizes for people.

The woman, who is 76, lives in Canterbury and wants her experience to act as a warning to others who might be taken in by the con artist.

She received a phone call at her home early last month from a well-spoken Englishman who told her she had won £125,000 in a competition. He gave his name as Stephen Johnson and said he was working for a company called International Retrieval, based in Seattle.

"He seemed very nice and he told me that in order to have my prize sent to me I was to pay £1,150 through Western Union and then a cheque for my prize would be forwarded to me," said the victim.

"I told him to take the money out of the prize but he said that was illegal. I enter a few competitions and tend to forget which ones so at first when he said I had won £125,000 I did not think it was odd.

"I had to scrap the bottom of the barrel to get this money but the man seemed very plausible. I had to tell him my favourite colour as security and he gave me a three-digit number which he said would mean my cash would be safe. The man said the money I paid over would be picked up in Canada."

The victim withdrew £1,150 from her savings account the day after the phone call and on September 12 went away for a fortnight. She paid to have her mail re-directed so not to miss her cheque.

The woman, who wishes not to be named, added: "After hearing nothing I began to small a rat and I rang Western Union. It told me the money had been collected and now it has gone without trace. Of course I feel an absolute fool and have not dared tell my family."

A police spokesman said that this was a very popular scam operated by unscrupulous people.

"You should always be cautious when asked for money by companies you have never heard of for services you have never requested," he said.

"Never disclose you financial details or your address over the telephone to strangers and if you feel uncomfortable with the caller just put the phone down.

"Do not allow yourself to be wooed by smooth-talking. Remember that these people are con-men who make their living by parting people from their money."