USERS of email are now being targeted in a South African scam to persuade businesses and individuals to part with their bank details.

The Evening Press has already reported how businesses have received letters claiming to be from officials with the Department of Minerals and Energy in South Africa, asking them to help in transferring money out of the country.

Now, a York businesswoman says she has received a similar request for help in an email claiming to be from a John Zama, from the Republic of Angola, 'the first and only son of the late Brigadier C Zama of Angolan Armed Force'.

The letter claims that Mr Zama's father has died and left him 23.7 million U.S. dollars and asks that the recipient provides their bank details to transfer the money out of South Africa, offering them 20 per cent of the total.

Olga Shepherdson, who runs Olga's Guest House, off Fulford Road, said she had received the email this week and immediately spotted it as a scam.

In contrast to the businesslike tone of the letters received by businessmen, the email is more personal in its appeal to the readers.

Olga said she had immediately contacted her sister, who lives in South Africa, who said the scam was creating headlines there too.

She said: "I want to warn people to ignore emails like this if they receive them."

Liz Levett, trading standards manager at City of York Council, said: "We have seen these emails, in fact some have been sent to members of staff at the council.

"It's obvious the scam is now going 'hi-tech' with the use of email.

"We would again warn people that whatever you do, unless you are prepared to lose money, don't give your bank account details to somebody you don't know in another country, because once someone's got your bank account details, you could lose all your money.

"We are continuing to liaise with the DTI to try to stop them, but it is very difficult when they're coming from abroad."

l Meanwhile, York residents are being warned by trading standards to be on their guard after a spate of calls complaining about the tactics of alarm salespeople working in the area.

The worried callers are complaining they have received a telephone call from a company which falsely claims it is working in conjunction with the local police.

The salesperson asks if the homeowner is aware that there has been a rise in crime in their street or area.

It suggests that a salesperson working in the area could call within the hour to discuss home security.

When challenged to provide further details the salesperson puts the phone down.

City of York Council's trading standards team has also received reports of another firm working in the area which appears to be targeting older residents and offering free alarms.

But residents report that when the salesman calls they find

they are required to sign a three-year contract for a monthly maintenance fee.

Updated: 11:48 Monday, March 25, 2002