A PORT Seton woman whose aunt was defrauded of thousands of pounds says the experience was "harrowing" for her and her family.

Lynn Harrison's aunt Elizabeth Lynch was one of two victims of Musselburgh carer Margo Alongi, who was jailed for two years last December after being found guilty of fraudulently withdrawing almost £46,000 from the two victims.

Alongi, 54, took more than £43,000 from Elizabeth, or Betty, and Lynn revealed how she first discovered something was wrong, just days before her aunt passed away.

She said: "My aunt was on her death bed and I only found out when I opened her last bank statement.

"My mum swore us all to secrecy because my aunt was dying – she knew how much the whole thing would have upset her and she was on her deathbed."

She reported her findings to Police Scotland on February 4, 2014, but it took more than two-and-a-half years before Alongi was convicted, in November last year.

Lynn added: ""The whole thing was really upsetting for me and my family and the fact that she maintained her innocence was really harrowing.

"My mother, at 86 years old, had to take to the stand and give evidence for an hour – it is so intense."

The case is discussed on a new television programme, which airs for the first time tomorrow (Friday).

The half-hour long show, Stopping Scotland's Scammers, will be broadcast on STV, and starts at 8pm.

She does not name Alongi in tomorrow evening's programme, and Lynn explained: "I have chosen not to name her because it's really not about her.

"It is about making people aware that these types of crimes do happen."