AN MP has persuaded a bank to refund a couple from the Selby district who lost their life savings through a sophisticated banking scam.

Now Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams is calling on the Government and banks to improve protection for customers from future fraud attempts.

The Press reported in May how five farms in the Selby district had received phone calls from men claiming to be part of a bank fraud investigation team, urging them to transfer their money into what were claimed to be "safe accounts."

North Yorkshire Police said some victims transferred money through internet banking, while others were told to go to their bank and not mention it to staff, who were also said to be under investigation.

In some cases, the victims were asked to phone the number on their bank cards but their lines remained open, meaning they were still speaking to the fraudsters.

Police said one farmer lost his entire life savings in the scam.

Mr Adams said that through a combination of persuasion and threats, a couple had transferred their money to the supposed safe account and lost it.

"Their life savings gone at the click of a mouse button," he said.

"The couple were distraught ."

He said that after he had talked to the head of security at the couple's bank, it had eventually agreed to refund their money, much to their relief.

He said he had met with bank fraud prevention experts to understand the intricate details of the scam and was not satisfied everything possible was being done to protect people.

"The ordinary person could not be expected to see through the scam which relies on identity theft, diverting telephone calls and the fraudster having detailed knowledge of bank accounts," he said.

"The banks must do more to make money traceable and recoverable.

"Banks must also take greater responsibility for protecting people from this type of scam. This will require tough action by the banks, the telephone network operators and Government."

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said no arrests had been made to date in connection with the Selby area frauds.

"However, inquiries are progressing and the investigation now involves several other police forces," she added.