The wife of a terminally-ill man says she has been left unable to buy food after becoming the victim of an online scam.

Claire Waterman, 48, was duped out of £180 after being told by someone she trusted she had won £100,000.

And now she says she can’t afford shopping for her and her husband of 21 years, Raymond.

The 77-year-old was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by inhaling asbestos fibres.

He also suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Claire had posted an appeal in the Maidstone Community Acts Of Kindness group on Facebook, saying that they were desperately in need of appliances and furniture for their new house.

She said: “There was a lady who I was originally in contact with, she was so helpful when we first moved here.

“It’s disgraceful, they just don’t care that they have left a dying pensioner without a penny."

“She would give me numbers for people and organisations who could donate items for us.

“I hadn’t heard from her in about a week or two, and all of a sudden – out of the blue – she says ‘have you not noticed, you’re in a jackpot winners’ list?’

“She told me that she had signed up for it and won £100,000 and a brand new iPhone.

“I clicked on the link she sent me and got through to this other lady, who told me I had to pay them £100 to have the payment delivered.”

After sending the money through Google Play gift cards, Claire was then bombarded with messages from the same woman, asking her to send more.

She said: “They have £180 of my money and I am never going to get that back.

“I don’t know if they had seen my message on Facebook explaining that my husband is dying, and that I’m going through bad circumstances at the moment.

“I’m wondering – if they are picking on people who are in a vulnerable situation, how many other people have they scammed?

“It’s disgraceful, they just don’t care that they have left a dying pensioner without a penny.

“I am now sat here, absolutely broke and I can’t do any food shopping this week.

“I have to watch him deteriorate every day. Sadly, he is all skin and bone now."

“I sent a message back to the original lady and told her it’s a scam. She denied it, and told me to give them the extra money.

“I have to say my language then got very blue at that point.”

She added: “The reason why I did it was because I trusted the initial lady, as she was helping us.

“At no point did I question what she was saying, but I fell for it hook, line and sinker.”

Despite being over £180 out of pocket, Claire is still thankful to everyone who did donate and helped her in the move.

She said: “People have given me numbers of authorities and charities that could assist us.

“Others have donated furniture and appliances for free, such as a fridge-freezer, bedside tables, coffee table and some brand new saucepans.

“I don’t drive, and they even took the time to deliver them as well.

“It melts your heart and reassures you that there are good people out in this world.”

Claire admits she has had a challenging time over the last year.

She said: “Unfortunately over the years I got in trouble – I have been in prison – I’ve put my hands up to that.

“However, Raymond has always seen the good in me and we have been together for 21 years.”

Claire was incarcerated last June for three months for drink driving, and was with her husband when they found out he had terminal cancer in December.

Claire said: “I have to watch him deteriorate every day. Sadly, he is all skin and bone now.

“The cancer has been dormant for many years, he could have had it for God knows how long.”

Action Fraud said the scam was being investigated by police and urged anyone who believed they had fallen victim to similar frauds to call its hotline on 0300 123 2040 or report it online by clicking here.

It urges anyone who comes across such an offer to think before parting with money and challenge any requests if suspicious. “Only criminals will try to rush or panic you,” it added.