Phone scammers are continuing to target people in Cumbria - using a cover story involving Apple iTunes vouchers.

Officers are urging people to be vigilant of a con in which fraudsters ask people to buy the vouchers.

Victims have included people in their sixties and seventies.

Sometimes hundreds of pounds have been spent in the con.

Detective Chief Inspector Helen Harkins spoke about the fraud.

She said: "Unfortunately we keep seeing incidents of this nature where fraudsters target members of the public and entice them by stating they are owed large amounts of money."

Officers detailed some of the crimes.

In recent days police received a report of concern for the welfare of a woman who was buying iTunes vouchers of a high value.

Investigations revealed a woman, 71, had received a call asking she purchase large amounts of iTunes vouchers in order to receive more than £12,000 in PPI money.

The victim had purchased £650 worth of vouchers.

A couple of days earlier a man, 63, visited a police station.

He reported he had received a call from someone claiming to be from the Ministry of Justice.

They requested he buy £150 worth of iTunes vouchers in order to receive £6,500 in PPI money.

Police say this is a national scam that sees fraudsters target victims via call, voicemail or text message.

They are often claiming to be from a government agency, such as HM Revenue & Customs or the Ministry of Justice, urging victims to purchase iTunes vouchers to then receive money owed to them.

The victim is then asked to give the fraudsters the iTunes voucher code.

DCI Harkins added: "If you get such an unexpected call, where you are asked to transfer money or hand over vouchers, terminate the call immediately and contact Action Fraud."

She also urged people to look out for others.

"We ask that any members of the public with elderly relatives and neighbours share the message with them," said DCI Harkins.

"It is often the most vulnerable in our society that these criminals target and we need to all ensure they are educated enough to be confident against these scammers."

Police have also highlighted the following web addresses and numbers, while offering advice, for anyone targeted or worried about such crime.

* For further crime prevention advice on fraud, visit: https://www.cumbria.police.uk/Advice-Centre/Crime-Prevention/Fraud.aspx.

* If you are a victim of fraud that is a crime in progress and you need an immediate police response, dial 999.

* If you think that you have been the victim of a fraud and it is a non-emergency situation report this to Cumbria Police on 101 and to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

* Alternatively visit their website www.actionfraud.police.uk.

* You can also sign up to their fraud alert service at: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/support-and-prevention/sign-up-to-action-fraud-alert.