A WOMAN from Newbridge became the latest person in Gwent to receive a scam letter from Spain asking for payment of a parking fine.

Andrea Griffiths, of Tyllwyd Place, spotted immediately the letter was a fake - but has spoken out to warn others.

"I haven't been to Spain recently so I knew that it couldn't be right," she said.

Gwent Police warned last month that the letters had been sent from Spain, asking for parking fines to be paid.

They said the letters tell recipients that they have committed a parking offence in Spain and ask for 108 euros. The letter first came to the force's attention after one was received by a man from Cwmbran. The Spanish authorities are said to be investigating the matter.

It is not the only scam letter from Spain that is circulating in Gwent at the moment.

Last week the Argus revealed that a scam letter is being sent to people in the Newbridge area claiming that the recipients have won 425,000 euros in a Spanish Lottery competition.

The so-called Lotto El Gordo Loteria Primitiva says they have been chosen for the top prize and asks for personal information - including bank details - so the cash prize can be claimed.

They also ask for a payment up front to cover alleged taxes and bank and delivery costs.

One of the letters was received by Leeroy Jeremiah, of Thorn Avenue, Newbridge - although he saw straight through the pretence. The 35-year-old said he had never been to Spain, and was suspicious immediately.

A spokesman for Caerphilly trading standards said yesterday: "Such scams are a matter for the police within the country from which they originate. In this instance the Spanish police and the British consulate are investigating.

"Though trading standards cannot prevent these schemes from operating abroad they can raise awareness with the public and regularly release warnings on postal scams operating in the area.

"If anyone has received this or any similar scams they can contact trading standards on 01495 235291.

"Officers can check authenticity of such mailings and advise on the relevant organisation to deal with them."

Detective Constable Willie Duggan, of Ebbw Vale police, has asked anyone who receives a letter about parking fines in Spain to contact him on 01495 350999.