A HEREFORD pensioner was swindled out of cash by a fake CIA agent.

Mental health volunteer Dawn Lewis claims she is now “destitute” after parting with £250 while visiting her home town of Croydon for the first time in 39 years.

The fraudster told her he could get cut price goods from the US Embassy.

The pair met at the Norfolk House Hotel while she was speaking at the 'Making It Happen' disability conference.

The 66-year-old who lives in Beattie Avenue, Hunderton, said: “I am no fool but I was duped by this man. He told me he was in the CIA and at first I didn’t believe him but then he showed me proof, he had this military sticker on his laptop saying he was in the CIA.

“He was charming.

Everything he said he backed up. And when he said he could get cut price goods I was thrilled.”

Dawn said the man – who called himself Frank – showed her an official list of cut price items before she made her order.

She said: “He said he would bring the stuff back to the hotel later that day. Because I couldn’t get that much cash out of the machine he drove me to a post office. He dropped me back at the hotel and I never saw him again.

“It wasn’t a romance, just a business deal and he seemed so plausible."

Dawn added “Frank” called her, supposedly from the US Embassy in London, claiming to have her goods but she never heard from him again.

“Croydon police say they won't take any further action because it would be my word against his,” said Dawn.

“It was meant to be a memory lane trip as I thought I am never likely be to go back.”