AN elderly grandmother lost £3,000 on “devilish” mail order scams.

The grandmother-of-five, who is 81, paid for five months before she realised she was being conned.

Nowshe has spoken out in a bid to warn others to be vigilant.

The victim, who does not want to be named, said: “I just feel so stupid. I’ve lost a lot of money I couldn’t afford.

“It’s like a spider’s web. It’s like a one-way track. It’s devilish.

“I would like to warn other people not to fall into the same trap.”

The scam started when the pensioner, who lives in Coggeshall, ordered biscuits from a catalogue.

She was then bombarded with post from three other companies, inviting her to enter prize draws to win up to £148,000.

They enticed her with so-called free gifts which she ended up paying for, before they were dispatched.

She realised something was wrong when money was taken from her account for a watch and other goods that she had not ordered.

She received several letters a day at her home and parcels containing items she had paid for, but not ordered.

Essex Trading Standards and the victim’s bank are working to help her recover some of the money.

Trading standards officers are working their way through a list of about 3,000 names they were given of people on a so-called “suckers list” held by scammers, visiting the most vulnerable.

Roger Walters, Essex county councillor and Trading Standards lead, said: “These mail scams typically sell over-priced goods such as confectionery and skin products.

“They send numerous letters, often telling you you’ve won a big prize in a draw which you can claim by buying something else.

“They claim to offer free gifts, but often use your bank details to get payments before dispatching any items.”

Anyone who thinks they may have responded to a scam, or is worried about a friend or relative, can call 08454 040506.