A BRIDPORT pensioner has been targeted in a new international scam.

Eileen Willer, 79, got a letter from Spain telling her she was a Euro lottery winner - and asking her to send her bank account details so she could get paid.

A widow who lives alone, she was told she would receive a lump sum of more than £300,000 after her numbers came up on the El-Gordo sweepstake.

But Vice President Jose Luis Miguel warns her not to tell anyone about her "big win" as it was part of their "security protocol" to avoid double claiming.

Attached to the letter is a form asking for all Mrs Willer's bank details.

And she is told to sign a declaration beneath saying: "I hereby authorise Santa Luci Security Company to act on my behalf in the processing and transfer of funds to the designated bank as stated above.

"I also agree to pay 10 per cent of my winnings to Santa Lucia Security Company on receipt of this money".

Mrs Willer's daughter Christine Ward said she was horrified that a vulnerable elderly woman had been targeted in such a way by what was obviously a cruel con trick.

"When I visited my mother she told me she had received this letter which had a genuine Spanish stamp on it," said Mrs Ward.

"She said she thought she had won some money but I told her it was rubbish.

"I just think others should be aware of this. I don't know how they got my mother's name and address - whether it was chance or they are able to target an elderly housebound widow who lives alone. I expect others in the Bridport area must have had similar letters."

Bridport Police officer Les Cummings said it was a familiar scam designed to empty people's bank accounts. A similar letter was recently circulating to "winners" of a bogus Australian lottery.

"The question people need to ask is if they haven't taken part in any of these competitions who can they expect to have won?" he said.

PC Cummings warned people not to reveal their banking details unless it was to a known legitimate business.