POLICE have asked people to be aware of a "distressing" scam, after a man received a call on his wife's mobile from a fraudster claiming he was a doctor and his wife had been in a car accident.

North Yorkshire Police say the man from the Northallerton area had answered a call from what appeared to be his wife's mobile phone number.

On answering the call, a man with a foreign-sounding accent introduced himself as a doctor from the Friarage Hospital and stated his wife had been in a car accident and required emergency surgery.

The caller went on to say the procedure she required was not covered under NHS budget and requested bank details to release £300.

The man who had received the call stated he would make his way to the Northallerton hospital immediately and so the caller hung up.

He then called his wife’s number back, who answered fit and well.

The heartless scam has prompted police to make people aware of the incident. It is believed they used sophisticated methods to link two mobile numbers together.

A spokesperson for the force said: “The incident has been referred to Action Fraud and North Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit for further investigation as the perpetrators appear to be using sophisticated methods to link two mobile numbers together, in order to achieve the necessary impact, to fulfil their scam.

“This incident has been distressing for the parties involved, but luckily no bank details were given out.

“Please make friends and relatives aware of this incident, especially the more vulnerable.

“If you do receive such a call, please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.”