A member of the public in Ards and North Down recently lost £20 thousand in an online scam that promised a personal development language certificate. Police have issued a warning to the public to be cautious of fraudulent websites and online advertisements following the report.

Chief Inspector Hutchinson said that police received a "concerning report" this week of an individual being lured to a scam website that appeared to be legitimate. The victim was encouraged to pay an amount upfront, providing personal and banking information, before being pressured into paying more and more money to get what they had originally asked for.

The Chief Inspector said that the victim was left not only out of pocket but also with the realisation that they were "lied to all along and no actual certificate would be sent."

He continued: "It's so important that the public, and particularly elderly individuals or those who care for loved-ones who are more vulnerable and susceptible to falling victim to a scam, are aware of the consequences of not doing accurate research before parting with money. On so many occasions, these types of incidents could be avoided if the following steps were followed: • Look out for websites with limited contact details or no verifiable business address

• Be mindful of high pressure tactics urging immediate payment or 'limited time offers'

• Watch out for requests for personal identification or banking details beyond what is necessary

• Be aware of poor grammar or spelling mistakes, or unprofessional website designs – sounds simple but these small signs could be a red flag

"Scammers are exploiting people's genuine desire for self-development and I urge the community to thoroughly do research before sharing any personal information or sending money. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is!"

The best way to fight scams and not lose money is to Stop. Check. Report. If you have been a victim of a scam, report it to police online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or call on 101, to your bank immediately, online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. You can also forward scam texts to 7726.

Further information and advice can be found at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.