Two women suspected of being involved in illegal pyramid schemes were arrested in raids at their Bristol homes, following a nationwide investigation.

The Bristol-based South West Scambusters team carried out early-morning raids at two homes in Whitchurch and Bishopsworth.

A 40-year-old woman was arrested at her house in Whitchurch. She shouted at officers and locked herself in a bedroom but was eventually brought out of the house and put into a police van.

Members of the Scambusters team, accompanied by police officers, searched the semi- detached house and seized a money counting machine along with computer equipment, phones and a number of boxes of Jimmy Choo shoes and designer clothes.

A 45-year-old woman was also arrested after she returned to her home in Bishopsworth.

The house was searched and laptops and phones seized. Letters of complaint from alleged members of a scheme were also seized.

Both women were taken to a police station for questioning and were released on bail pending further inquiries yesterday evening.

The South West Scambusters team was set up by former detective Alan Evans.

It is made up of Bristol City Council trading standards staff and other law enforcement officers from across the South West.

They obtained warrants to search the houses under consumer protection regulations.

They were looking for evidence of involvement in pyramid schemes.

Mr Evans said: "Following on from an in-depth nationwide inquiry into the problem of illegal pyramid selling, raids were carried out by the South West Scambusters team.

"Two people were arrested on suspicion of being involved and running pyramid schemes.

"We take a robust approach to anybody involved in illegal pyramid schemes.

"We must protect vulnerable members of our communities."

It is the second series of raids by the South West Scambusters team.

In February three homes were raided and three women arrested for alleged involvement in the operation and promotion of a suspected pyramid scheme.

The team raided two other premises in Bristol and seized evidence.

The Office of Fair Trading estimates pyramid scams collectively cost UK consumers £420 million every year.

Often victim's recruit family and friends to the scheme, leading to emotional as well as financial hurt.

Mr Evans said pyramid schemes, however they were described, were unlawful under the new consumer protection regulations and could also contravene various sections of the Fraud Act.

He said: "The people who run pyramid schemes try to maintain an aura of respectability by making donations to charity.

"They are out to line their own pockets and certain individuals are making a lot of money."

He asked for anyone who has lost money in this or other schemes to come forward.

Heather Clayton, Office of Fair Trading senior director of consumer protection, said: "Scammers adapt to new circumstances and are tempting people feeling the pinch with false hopes of making easy money. Sadly responding to pyramid schemes will only leave participants worse off."

Consumer Minister Gareth Thomas said: "It is important that people are alert to how costly illegal pyramid scams can be. Such schemes are cruel, and they keep victims hanging on for money which in the great majority of cases will simply not materialise."

People can contact Scambusters@bristol.co.uk or Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 with information.