FORMER teacher Chris Joyner of Lyme Regis has warned people to beware of internet scams after a friend was tricked out of £2,000.

He said that the cash was stolen after an email was sent to all of his email contacts claiming he had been mugged in Spain.

The Good Samaritan, who is from Bridport, wired the cash before realising it was a hoax to defraud wellwishers of their money.

Former Woodroffe teacher Mr Joyner, 64, said: “A neighbour rang the bell to let me know that I was supposedly in Madrid, had been attacked and in a great deal of financial difficulty.

“This was the first indication that I had been the innocent victim of a particularly nasty email scam which has resulted a good friend losing a considerable sum of money. The scam is particularly nasty as it targets the kindest and most well meaning of people.”

He added: “I’m extremely upset.

“Although I couldn’t have done anything differently, I feel absolutely dreadful.

“This really kind person tried to help out and ended up in this terrible situation where they have lost all of this money.”

Mr Joyner is asking people to beware of any email pleas for cash.

He said: “I just want to warn people to be very cautious about anything like this.

“Be very suspicious about anybody asking for money like this.”

The friend, who does not want to be identified, sent the money through Western Union after receiving the email.

The bogus plea for help claimed to come from Mr Joyner saying he had been mugged in Spain and desperately needed help.

The fraudsters had hacked into Mr Joyner’s Yahoo email account and sent the message to all of his contacts.

Mr Joyner said they used phrases that he would not have used, such as that he was ‘really freaked out’.

He added: “I have had dozens of phone calls and letters from people to check it out.”

Mr Joyner has reported the scam to the police but fears his friend will not get the money back.

He is also concerned that the thieves may have forged a copy of his passport as they would have needed proof of identity to claim the cash at the Western Union office in Spain.