Leeds woman left 'with £9 to name' after Facebook scammer stole prescription money during coronavirus lockdown

Ashleigh-Marie Stevenson, 30, had tried to contact friends to help collect the prescription.

However, she put up a request on a local Leeds forum asking for help to collect a number of items including her prescription inhaler.

Ashleigh-Marie, a hospitality worker from Osmondthorpe, was contacted by a woman offering to help.

She sent the woman money for the prescription, paracetamol, bread and milk - unable to leave the house herself due to a weezy chest and cough.

Around an hour later, Ashleigh-Marie said she messaged the woman for an update, but had no response.

She told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "After another hour and another message, no response.

"I tried to phone and they rejected the call and blocked me.

"I noticed they had sent some but not all of the money back."

Ashleigh-Marie now says she has been left with 'less than £9 to her name' due to the scam.

She added: "My bank says because it is under £25 they can not do anything.

"They claimed to live locally.

"I want to warn others that while there are many genuine helpful people pulling together and helping in this awful situation, there are a few that may be out to scam and deceive.

"This person knows personal details about me and has some of my money.

"This time it was only a small amount of money but imagine if I'd sent more for a full weeks shop or if it was the only money I had.

"I only have £9 to my name now."