Police have warned of a scam in Bromley in which elderly and vulnerable residents have been conned into buying iTunes vouchers.

One elderly woman was conned into buying £1,200 of the vouchers by fraudsters posing as Inland Revenue officers, who said that she would be arrested and lose her home if she refused to pay.

Police say other elderly and vulnerable people were targeted by the same scam last Tuesday. Many of the victims were told to buy iTunes vouchers from supermarkets then read the codes to the fraudsters over the phone.

PC Matthew Lockie said: “We would like to pass on our thanks to staff at Tesco’s stores in Edgington Way, Sidcup, and Augustus Lane, Orpington, who identified two elderly victims who were trying to purchase a large quantity of iTunes vouchers and after asking questions realised that they were being scammed.

“On each occasion the victims were kept safe by staff and police were called.

“I would urge anybody who has an elderly or vulnerable neighbour or relative to speak with them about this scam.

“If anybody telephones you to claim you owe money request that they send the details in writing.

“If the caller becomes rude, aggressive or threatening terminate the call immediately and then call the police."