Tourists who have visted Gran Canaria have been targeted

Trading standards officials say several Welsh tourists have already received fixed penalty notices.

The letters demand that 129 euros - about �86 - is sent to an office in Madrid.

The Office of Fair Trading said it was liaising with the Spanish authorities and people should ignore the letters.

Vincent Farr, from Treharris in the south Wales valleys, said he knew straight away that the letter was not genuine.

"I thought it was either a case of mistaken identity or a scam as we haven't been to Gran Canaria since 1997 and I've never driven on the island.

"When they refer to traffic violation, that means it is either illegal parking or speeding and I've never been involved in either of those activities."

Vincent Farr said he knew straight away the letter was bogus

The Office of Fair Trading has warned holidaymakers not to respond to the letters.

Penny Boys, executive director of the OFT, said: 'This is a very convincing scam; the content and presentation of the demand letters combined with the fact that most recipients have recently visited the destinations, makes it easy to understand how people could fall for these fraudulent claims.

"However anyone receiving these letters should not send any money."

The OFT said that the letters come from a company, calling itself Deuda Recuadar Alguacil Y Exigir Servicios (DRAYES), which also operates under the names MCCREE (Medio Corte Credito Recoudado Estobar Exigir) and WHITE.

The letters appear to be official documents, displaying a crest, reference numbers and citing legislation that does not exist.

It is believed that home addresses may have been obtained from tourists who had attended time share presentations.

The OFT said if people believe they may have committed a driving offence whilst on holiday in Spain, they should contact the Spanish authorities