A WARNING has been issued after an elderly man in Galashiels was conned out of £500 in a church funding scam.

The 71-year-old was contacted through social media on Monday to alert him to government grants for assisting his local church.

But in order to release the funding he was required to purchase Amazon gift cards.

After being directed to a website the man paid £500 for the Amazon cards.

But no funding was made available for the church.

Inspector Jacqi McGuigan told us: "The victim became suspicious when the funds he thought he'd applied for didn't arrive and is now deeply upset, having been defrauded of £500.

"I want to take this opportunity to remind the public that no bona fide company or government agency will ask you to purchase gift cards so as to receive financial payment.

"If you are contacted by anyone making such an offer, do not accept. End the conversation without providing any of your personal details and contact police immediately."

Anyone with information can contact Galashiels Police Station via 101.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 55 111.