SHOPPERS are being warned not to give money to strangers, after a woman with a phoney sob story targeted the same person twice.

Nicola Mason and her husband, from Colchester, were first approached by the woman in the Williams & Griffin car park, in Colchester, about three months ago.

Last Wednesday, the same woman targeted Mrs Mason’s husband for a second time.

Mrs Mason said: “The first time, we were approached by a woman claiming to be a psychiatric nurse, who said her rail ticket had expired and she was desperate to get home to Witham.

“She offered to show her hospital pass and give us her address details, but we didn’t ask her to.

“Stupidly, my husband felt sorry for her and gave her some cash.

“Although we were suspicious, she was well-spoken and reasonably dressed, so we thought she could have been genuine.”

The same woman approached her husband in the St Mary’s car park, Colchester, with the same story, last week.

Mrs Mason said: “He confronted her and advised her that she had already conned him once. She was extremely shocked.

“I reported her to the police and they called us back to say they had caught her, told her off and moved her on. I believe she mentioned to my husband she had problems with drugs.”

Colchester police are now warning people not to fall for the sob stories.

Colin Stiff, crime reduction officer for Colchester, said: “Under no circumstances should you hand over any money. Almost certainly the person asking will not be legitimate and will have carried out a similar scam on other shoppers.

“Please also be aware that if you then take out your purse or bag to find some money, they could make an attempt to snatch it.”