SICK scammers have used a twisted online scheme to target Ukrainian families who were forced to flee to Inverclyde from their war-torn country.
Marina Gorbunova, founder of Inverclyde Ukrainian Club, says the group were duped by fraudsters who were pretending to host a summer craft fete in Greenock Town Hall.
The club accepted an invitation to take part in the bogus event, even going as far as to arrange for volunteers to man a stall, before finding out it was all an elaborate ruse.
Marina and the other members were put under pressure by the ‘event organisers’, who demanded they hand over money and bank details.
But luckily the group’s bank stepped in to block the payment and warn them of the potential scam before any money was transferred.
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Now Marina, who is a former insurance broker, is warning other community groups to be on their guard in case the scammers try to strike again.
She said: "It makes me so angry that they would abuse our trust like this. It is terrible. I feel so bad for our trustees as well.
"We had planned the tables and what to sell.
"We thought we were doing the right thing and now we have been let down.
"We trust Scottish people so much. They are the warmest, kindest people and have welcomed us with open arms."
Having seen the fake advertisement for the event on a local Facebook group, the Ukrainian club jumped at the chance to run a stall and raise cash for their cause.
They were asked to hand over an initial £60, as well as their bank details.
However, Bank of Scotland stopped the transfer before it went through.
Marina added: "They blocked it and said that it was a suspicious account. I couldn't understand it and spent hours on the phone. I felt like we were letting people down.
"The fraudsters we had made contact with kept messaging us, asking about the money.
"When I tried to call the number, they didn't answer.
"I just want to warn other people. I don't want it to happen to anyone else."
The Inverclyde Ukrainian Club runs events locally and also collects art donations to send back to Ukraine.
The club, which is based in the historic Dutch Gable House, has just finished two back-to-back high-profile exhibitions and celebrations.
Around 200 Ukrainians have settled in Inverclyde since being forced to flee when Putin invaded the country in February 2022.
Refugee Marina was among them, arriving months later, staying with a sponsor family in Gourock.
She had to leave after her home city came under attack, leaving her business and family behind.
Her three sons George, 36, Yuzii, 30 and Eugene, 28 were immediately sent to fight the invasion and continue to serve in the military.
Her daughter Sophie, 22, lives in Odessa.
Marina said: "I love Inverclyde and I love Scotland. We share so many of the same values and beliefs and I want to celebrate this through our club.
"We are open to everyone in the community. We want to celebrate art and culture."
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