A VULNERABLE pensioner has been left in a state of shock after being duped into handing over thousands of pounds to a man posing as a police officer.

Alida Robinson went to Lloyds bank in Newbury on June 2 and left with £4,000, before handing her hard-earned money over to a courier.

The 84-year-old believes other elderly residents have been hit by similar scams in the last month, but she has been told she will not be getting a penny of her money back.

Ms Robinson, of Hamilton Road, claims she was approached by a 'controlling' man from the Metroplotain Police force, who was asking her to help catch potential fraudsters.

She said: "These people are very clever and convincing. The man who phoned me said he needed £4,000 and I wanted to do all I can to help the police.

"He was very controlling and it was not a voice I wanted to disagree with. I feel foolish, stupid and gullible."

She agreed to help him and unknowingly handed over the money after the bank manager failed to question why she was trying to withdraw such a large sum.

Although Ms Robinson usually visits the bank on Broad Street, she was told she would be reimbursed the £70 she spent on a taxi.

She added: "I have been told I will not be getting any of my money back. The bank seem to think I was easily fooled and are offering no protection.

"I am not short of money, but that is not the point. It is money my husband Andrew worked hard for before he died.

"He was a teacher at Leighton Park School. He died in 2009 after being the Head of Chemistry."

"I am old and I truly believe the manager should have stepped in. Surely it is not normal for an elderly lady to walk into the bank and ask for thousands of pounds in one go."