Penza, 10 April 2015. PenzaNews. A Penza region resident, 76, has transferred over 500,000 rubles to fraudsters for a “cure” for cancer.

“In late March, an unidentified woman contacted the elderly person, introduced herself as a worker of the regional hospital, and said the elderly woman had cancer, offering to buy an expensive medicine,” the press service of the regional department of Ministry of the Interior informed PenzaNews agency.

According to the deparment, the unknown woman said the medicine was bought for a different cancer-sick woman, and asked the elderly lady to transfer money to the latter’s bank account. The victim followed the instructions.

“On the next day, an unknown man contacted the woman, introduced himself as a prosecutor and accused the victim of causing the death of the alleged cancer patient and demanded money for a funeral. Following his instructions, she transferred 180,000 rubles more,” the department said.

A criminal case on fraud has been initiated, and the police officers are establishing the culprits, the officials added.