‘Friend in need’ WhatsApp scam costs victims £1.5m after being reported 1,235 times between February and June
- Crime involving friends in need was reported 1,235 times between February and June
- The fraudsters usually message on WhatsApp that they are a family member
- They explain that they are sending messages from a different number because their phone is lost or damaged
A scam where fraudsters send text messages pretending to be a friend or relative in need of money has cost victims more than £1.5million this year, it has been revealed.
The ‘Friend in Need’ crime has been reported 1,235 times between February and June this year, according to Action Fraud.
The fraudsters usually message on WhatsApp that they are a family member and start the conversation by addressing the person informally, such as ‘hello mama’. Then they explain that they are sending messages from a different number because their phone is lost or damaged.
The ‘friend in need’ crime was reported 1,235 times between February and June this year, according to Action Fraud
Then they ask for money to buy a new phone, or claim they urgently need money to pay a bill.
The scammer will provide their banking information – and sometimes trick the victim several times before they realize it.
The shocking cost of this crime shows the ongoing threat of SMS and WhatsApp scams. Detective Chief Inspector Craig Mullish, of the City of London Police, said: ‘If you receive a message like this from a friend or relative, don’t send money until you’ve had a chance to call them and confirm their identity. .’