MEMBERS of a petanque club were left confused when their former secretary apparently emailed them from Nigeria to say his money had been stolen.

The message was in fact from fraudsters who had accessed 79-year-old Arthur Tallon's account and emailed all of his contacts requesting $800 so he could get home.

Part of the message read: "Unfortunately for me all my money got stolen on my way to the hotel where I lodged along with my bag where my passport was".

Last week, the same thing happened to justice secretary Jack Straw, but hackers instead sent an email saying he needed $3,500.

Mr Tallon moved away from Epping a few months ago but said the email had been sent to most of the Epping Petanque Club.

He said: "It started on Monday morning and someone rang me up and asked me what it's like in Nigeria.

"I couldn't get on to that email account on Monday and I think someone has changed the password."

But club captain Robert Weston, 77, of Coopersale realised straight away it was not Mr Tallon.

He said: "It was a bit crude and rushed in the way it was written.

"Even if he was in a bad situation he would still be able to write properly."

Club member George Durno, 80, of Epping thought Mr Tallon's laptop had been stolen.

He said: "I didn't get it until Arthur Tallon was realising about the scam.

"I had an email from him using another email address saying if you receive this email you should delete it because it's a scam."

The email went on: "I need you to lend me about 800 Dollars so I can make arrangements and return back please, I have spoken to the embassy here but they are not responding to the matter effectively, I will return the money back to you as soon as I get home, I am so confused right now."

The message was signed Arthur Tallon.

He added: "It's quite worrying and embarrassing that all these people are getting emails from me.

"It's nice to know they are thinking of me with all the calls I've had."

Have you received an email like this and replied to it? Or has someone hacked in to your email account? Call the newsdesk on 020 8498 3431.