A WOMAN was conned out of her life savings in an online scam as she tried to buy a house in Colchester.

Vivian Gabb, 59, transferred £46,700 into the wrong account after being sent an email she believed to be from her solicitors – London based-Barnes & Partners.

A few days before she was due to exchange on her new home, she received the fraudulent email, which was branded in the solicitors’ style, saying they had changed their bank details.

She paid the prearranged deposit, but when she called to check it had arrived a few days later, she was told they had not received it.

When the bank checked, the money had already been withdrawn from the other account.