A GOUROCK man has hit out at heartless con artists for preying on his wife who has Alzheimer’s.

John Cabrie discovered messages on his home phone saying he and his wife were the subject of a serious investigation by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

But when he called the number back he was put through to someone in an overseas call centre.

A number of local people have been targeted by the same scam and Greenock police have warned residents to be vigilant.

John, 73, of Ailsa Road, Gourock said: “It was strange to get two calls.

“They were telling us we were under serious investigation.

“They must know we are elderly — I can’t imagine what would have happened if they’d spoken to my wife.

“They asked to speak to her but she has Alzheimer’s and it would have been very upsetting for her to take that call.

“I don’t know what would have happened if she had.”

John first received a recorded message last week and then when it happened a second time he returned the call.

John confronted the caller as he protected his wife Elizabeth, 74, who suffers from dementia.

Now the former long distance lorry driver wants to warn other people to be on their guard.

He said: “I gave them a piece of my mind. I didn’t give them a chance to get personal information.

“But other people might not be so lucky.

“I want to warn other people to be their guard.”

The Tele reported in March this year how a Greenock businessman lost £14,000 when he was conned by cold callers.

Criminals used a computer sting to wipe the account of his firm within a matter of minutes.

Police Scotland advise people never to give over personal information on the phone and to take steps to protect themselves against cold callers, by contacting their phone provider.

Sergeant Laura Stewart said: “We have had a couple of reports of attempted HMRC scams via telephone.”

“The local residents did not part with money.”

Anyone who fears they may be the victim of fraud should contact the police on 101.