RECENTLY it was reported in the press that an old lady in Bristol tragically ended her life because of the number of charity donation letters she received. Very sad.

However there’s another form of correspondence far worse in my view.

At least charities are trying to do something good in one way or another. This other lot, frankly, are worse and a positive nuisance.

I refer to the obviously scam letters frequently received, 99 per cent emanating from the Netherlands, (Holland). This correspondence whilst annoying is often amusing I find.

It all supposedly comes from different people with different Dutch P.O. Box addresses from “presidents” of this to C.E.Os of that. Offers of “how to make big money”, “your fortune” complete with icons and medallions etc. etc. They all require a pre payment of exactly £35 + £5 for speedy uptake.

Incidentally, the return if undelivered address is always the same – in Hounslow, Middlesex.

I question whether Holland is the home of the biggest scammers in the world? Is it actually around fifty or sixty people or is it just one otherwise masquerading?

I have kept a list for a while of these so far 173 offers to date. This shows that if I’d been foolish enough to respond I would have spent £9,320 for an impossible return of £31,286,500 plus the good fortune icons, reports, books, medallions etc.

I can’t understand why these “berks” pick on me. I’m not even on the open electoral role.

The important thing in this is that possibly some people, particularly the elderly, might be taken in by these scams.

Oh yes, also read with a large magnifying glass the “rules”, usually printed in an impossible pale grey tiny font.

(One other thought; at least it helps keep our Posties in work)!

Lee Prescott

Stonehouse