A Chinese university student in Scotland has been conned out of more than £10,000 by fraudsters.

The 24-year-old man, who studies at Stirling University, paid the sum after being threatened with arrest.

A bogus caller claimed to be from the Chinese authorities and said an international arrest warrant would be issued if the cash wasn't paid.

The victim then transferred a five-figure sum via a website.

Police are now urging other Chinese students in Scotland to be vigilant.

Superintendent David Pettigrew from the National Safer Communities Division said: "At this time, this seems to be the only reported incident of this kind in this area, which has been reported to Police Scotland.

"However, there may be other victims who do not know they have been defrauded and so haven't come forward.

"Similar scams have been reported in England and Australia previously and we want to raise awareness within our universities to prevent more Chinese students being affected.

"We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and would urge anyone with any information that can assist our inquiries, or who has fallen victim to this crime, to contact police immediately.

"Our advice to the public is to never provide unsollicited callers or emailers with any of your personal information and under no circumstances agree to transfer them any money.

"If you are approached in this manner, or if you have any doubts about the authenticity of a person, then contact police immediately.

"A range of useful crime prevention advice is available on our website at www.scotland.police.uk."