Older people are being warned of the dangers of cyber scamming at a pilot class organised by police and prosecutors.

The session has been tailored to older people and aims to raise awareness about crime in the virtual world to help prevent them falling foul of criminals.

Cyber scamming includes any type of fraud that uses email, websites, chatrooms or message boards.

It may also involve extortion through methods such as a virus which freezes the user's computer unless a fee is paid.

Today's pilot class at Stratosphere in Aberdeen has been jointly organised by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and Police Scotland.

If it is successful the sessions will be rolled out across Scotland.

David Bernard, COPFS equality ambassador for age, said: "Criminals profiting from others is particularly detestable when they prey on the more vulnerable in our society.

"This class is to educate the older generation on the issue of cyber scamming, raise their awareness of such scams and provide information on how to avoid falling foul to these scams.

"The hope is that through education we can both prevent them from being victims of those crimes but also inspire confidence that the criminal justice system in Scotland will listen to them and take action."

The class, aimed at the over-60s, is being supported by Silver City Surfers, an organisation which runs monthly sessions for its members and promotes computer literacy amongst the older generation in Aberdeen.

Detective Inspector Eamonn Keane said: "Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe both in the virtual and real world. Our proactive policing approach to tackling crime includes the preventative message and in particular to those most vulnerable, namely our children and the elderly.

"Police Scotland encourage and embrace technology in communication and engagement with all communities and recognise the internet as an intrinsic part of people's lifestyle. We welcome this opportunity to educate and improve awareness amongst all communities to prevent crime and reduce opportunities for criminal exploitation."