Described as one of the worst cases trading standards chiefs in South Tyneside have ever seen, the vulnerable 76-year-old is being bombarded with hundreds of letters each week at his South Shields home, claiming he has won money in various competitions and foreign lottery jackpots.

He is now on a document which criminals call a "mugs' list", containing the names of people who have fallen victim to postal scams in the past.

The names and addresses of victims on the list are sold and distributed among scam artists globally, who target the people again and again.

The letters, produced by professional conmen, started dropping through the pensioner's letterbox two months after his wife died last year, asking him to send money to a foreign address with the lure of receiving a big cash prize.

On one occasion he sent a cheque for £8,000, but says he started responding because he felt "lonely".

The retired accountant, who the Gazette has chosen not to identify, said: "At the beginning I quite enjoyed it, I think it was the novelty.

But when your on your own like me and someone rings up saying you've won something, it's very easy to fall into the trap.

"It gets addictive because they keep calling and keep convincing you that you've won money. You really want to believe it, so I kept sending cheques away.

"It's really well thought out, they seem really professional. A lot of thought has gone into the letters.

"They keep coming back for more and more as well, they're so determined."

He added: "To be honest I just feel like a bit of a mug now."

The victim began by sending away cheques for £40, and the amount slowly escalated as the crooks asked for more money before he received his cash prize.

Today, his situation has got so desperate, his close friend visits the house daily to pick up the scam mail and sends it on to South Tyneside Council's trading standards department, fearing he will fall for it again.

The devious thieves even sent the borough pensioner letters from a fortune teller, claiming to have clairvoyant powers which can help you win lottery jackpots.

After he responded to several letters by sending cheques, conmen were calling him at his home asking for his bank details so he could receive the winnings, which he agreed to.

Even as the Gazette interviewed the pensioner at his home, one of the conmen telephoned, telling him he had won £400 and all he had to do was send a cheque for £100. But when refused, the conman became aggressive.

James Maughan, the council's consumer advice team leader, said this is one of the worst cases he has ever seen.

"Obviously these thieves think if these people responded to scams before, then they will again," said Mr Maughan.

"These criminals are very clever and they know what they're doing. It's very easy to fall into the trap.

"Very often these operations are closely linked to criminal groups and organised gangs. There's a definite drug and gun culture behind it all.

"There are now people who used to deal drugs or commit armed robbery who are now committing postal and property crime, because it's just the same reward for less consequences. There's not as much jail time."

The scam operation is currently being investigated by trading standards.