RIBBLE Valley police are warning residents of a scam.

A family in the area received a distressing email from a relative claiming they were in trouble.

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The police were called and the relative was found safe and well, but when the man’s email account was checked it was found to have been hacked and all of his contacts had been sent the message.

The message said the man was stuck in Ukraine and had been robbed, all credit cards and phones were taken and a loan of £2,450 were needed to pay hotel bills and a flight home.

A police spokesman said: “When you read the message in the cold light of day, it does read like a scam.

“But if it is you that receives the message and then you are unable to make contact with your relative, it may make you think or possibly believe there is some truth in the e-mail.”

The spokesman said if you do receive a similar message, contact the person and if you can’t, contact friends or relatives of the person to make sure its legitimate.

In the worst case scenario ring the police on 101 and do not reply or arrange to send money.

For more information on scams, ring Action Fraud UK on 0300 1232040.