A woman from Norfolk has lost £180,000 after completing an online enquiry to invest in cryptocurrency.

She was contacted by criminals who claimed they had set up a cryptocurrency trading account.

They then regularly contacted her over a six-month period.

The fraudsters built a close relationship with the woman and encouraged her to give them access to her phone and laptop in order to transfer large sums of money at different intervals.

She believed this money was being invested in cryptocurrency.

READ MORE: Fraudster jailed for cruel Norfolk scam using fake IDs

The scam was realised when the victim contacted her bank directly to check a transfer had been completed.

The victim said: "My first reaction when I was told I had been scammed was feeling very frightened for my future, as the scammers left me with nothing.

"Life will never be the same and I am trying to come to terms that some people can be so ruthless.

"However, I will combat that feeling and go forth albeit taking a different route in life."