A WELL-KNOWN businessman is reassuring his clients after he became a target of online hackers who claimed he was stranded in Ukraine and renamed him 'Linda' on Facebook.

Media specialist and owner of Mantis Media – which has offices in Newton Aycliffe and Middlesbrough – Martin Walker, was left confused when he started receiving dozens of calls and messages after hackers managed to target an old hotmail account yesterday.

The hackers used the account to send a message to all those in his contacts, including those at The Northern Echo.

With the subject marked CRY FOR HELP!!! the hackers wrote: "Am currently out of Country to Ukraine for a program but having a little problem here.

"I tried to make withdrawals from about 5 different Machines but all to no avail and after visiting the banks here i was told it was due to network errors.

"I am stranded here without any money, so i was wondering if i could get a quick loan of $1,500 from you or any amount you can afford if not all. I promise to refund it back immediately i get back.

"Let me know if you can help me out so i can instruct you on how to get it sent to me. Await your response."

Mr Walker said he was initially shocked by the incident and had to clear his diary for the day in an attempt to reply to all the messages and reassure his clients.

The 40-year-old, of Eaglescliffe, said he had only used the account rarely since he set up his company and it was not connected to his business.

He was also left bemused after realising the hackers had managed to change his Facebook name to Linda Evans - a name he could be stuck with for 60 days because of the site's policy.

He said: "It's quite a serious issue but actually quite funny because of some of the things that have happened since."

He added: "I just hope that in this day and age, people will see through it and most people have text me.

"We need to be aware; I just hope nobody does be taken in by it."

Explaining his situation in a Facebook post, Mr Walker wrote: "They could have gone for something a bit more exotic. Like Lucinda. Or Lexus. Or Lady Martina of Eaglescliffe (my personal favourite)."

He added: "So, for now at least, you may call me Linda. And you never know, it might grow on me. Evans above..."

If you would like to get in touch with Mr Walker, call him on 01325-728024 or 07826 525907.