WOULD-BE scammers claiming to represent company Microsoft targeted a Dorset resident last week.

Their chosen victim, who lives in Sherborne, was told his computer had been hacked by a cold caller. The caller, who gave his name as Ryan Wilson, said there were now errors on the victim's operating system.

The victim, who had been having issues with his computer for several weeks, believed the call was legitimate.

He entered his credit card details onto a screen he had been directed to. However, the caller then said the card could not be used, and a bank account debit card would need to be used instead.

The victim was then told the total cost for repairing the computer would be £275. However, the scammer said the victim would need to authorise a wire transfer which would see £2,500 debited from his account, as this was the minimum account that could be transferred using the international wire system.

The scammer said the remaining £2,225 would be refunded immediately.

However, the victim became suspicious, hung up the phone and called his bank. Staff blocked his online account and card.

An attempted purchase was later made on the victim's credit card account, which was declined.