RESIDENTS are being warned to guard against confidence tricksters,despite the breaking of an international scam.

Hartlepool Borough Council's trading standards team recently warned residents against a bogus mailshot being sent to people in the town from Spain, which said they had won thousands of dollars in the Spanish Elgordo lottery.

In return, residents were asked to send their full bank details so payment could be made -a ruse to empty their bank accounts.

The team was delighted to read recent national newspaper reports that more than 300 people had been arrested by Spanish police in connection with the con.

Michael Welsh, the council's principal trading standards officer, is warning residents not to relax their guard.

Mr Welsh said: "It is a victory in the fight against scams. It appears this particular con had netted the fraudsters vast amounts of cash and brought misery to thousands of people worldwide.

"But the sad fact remains that there are many more scammers out there, working on different types of swindles, so people must remain vigilant at all times.

"Be especially wary if you are asked to supply your bank details."