Internet hackers posing as a Mid Wales town councillor have sent out dozens of e-mails asking for money. Councillor Alan Crowe, of Welshpool Town Council, said hackers broke into his e-mail account in the early hours of today.

He said they sent out messages to people on his contacts list – including the Shropshire Star – saying he was stuck in Spain and needing 800 euros to get home.

He said he feared friends, relatives and business contacts would be tricked into the scam and would send money to the hackers.

He said: “I am shocked and appalled by this news and quite frankly quite terrified.

“I have spoken to a number of people already who have received the e-mail and I tried logging into my account to put a stop to it, but it says my password has changed.”

He said the hackers had not given out any account details in their first e-mail but said he was sure they would have done if asked.

The message said that Councillor Crowe had lost his wallet and was unable to pay a hotel bill.

It said: “I will like you to assist me with a soft loan urgently with the sum of 800 euros to sort out my hotel bills and to get me back home. I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me with.”

Councillor Crowe added that he was worried the hackers would now have personal information.

“People use their e-mail accounts for plenty of things these days including banking, but this goes to show how scary it can be,” he said.