A fraudster who convinced a friend to take part in a WhatsApp easy money scam has avoided jail.

Meghan McCalman, 21, persuaded Hannah McDonald, 20, to send her bank details to a group chat to earn “clean money” in January last year.

There was the added promise she could make £3,000 to £4,000 if she had a “good credit rating.”

But, when the waitress discovered someone had applied for a £25,000 loan in her name she became suspicious.

She was asked to forward on £15,000 of it to another bank account.

As a result of this transaction, Miss McDonald’s bank account was frozen and after an investigation McCalman was arrested.

McCalman pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court last month to forming a fraudulent scheme to obtain money from financial institutions by fraud.

The barmaid, of Glasgow’s Garrowhill area, was ordered to do 220 hours of unpaid work, down from 300 due to her guilty plea.

She was also put under social work supervision for 12 months by Sheriff Joseph Platt.

The court heard McCalman sent Miss McDonald a Snapchat message saying: “Is anyone wanting to make easy money? Contact me,” and she agreed to become involved.

Prosecutor Debbie Carroll said: “She was told there was an opportunity to secure loans from underwriters and in order to participate Miss McDonald was required to have a good credit rating.

When it emerged her credit rating was good Miss McDonald was added to a WhatsApp group.

Ms Carroll said: “Miss McDonald was told: “Basically long story, if you have a good credit score you can make a good few grand in a few days - all clean money.”

She sent a picture of both sides of her bank cards and her driving licence and was asked to set up an online banking account and provide the password.

She was told “wages” would be put into the account which “reassured her.”

Miss Carroll said: “McCalman’s actions enabled another individual to apply for a fraudulent bank loan in McDonald’s name for £25,000 and an overdraft of £2,200.

“The money was transferred to McDonald’s bank account and a £2,200 overdraft applied to the account.”

Miss McDonald was told to transfer £15,000 to a third party's bank account.

Miss Carroll said: “She was told to make contact with the bank to tell them the money was for a wedding.”

The bank froze Miss McDonald’s account after she told them about the activity on the account.

Miss McDonald was later threatened by the group of individuals at her home and by text message.

McCalman was tracked down by police in April last year and interviewed.

Miss Carroll said: “She made it clear it would be the government and not individuals who would lose. She claimed to have been suffering financially and mentally at the time.”