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Dear Readers 

Following someone dear to me being scammed out of almost £1000, by what I can only describe as despicable and appalling tricks, I am going to write a little about this scam that’s doing the rounds. Although I have written about this type of thing recently, I am going to revisit it. 

This one is called the “Family Impersonation” scam. One particularly devious and heart-wrenching scam that has become more and more invasive over recent years. It involves fraudsters impersonating family members, normally children of the victim. These scammers exploit the families and the emotional bonds shared between family members. Victims typically receive a distressing text message or phone call from someone claiming to be a relative in dire need of financial assistance. They often manipulate the victim’s empathy by fabricating personal emergencies such as accidents, arrests, or medical emergencies. In their urgency, victims may hastily transfer money, unaware that they are falling into the trap of a skilled imposter. This emotional manipulation preys upon vulnerability and trust, leaving the victim devastated both financially and emotionally. 

The scam that my nearest and dearest has fallen for (and having read the transcript of the conversation, I would have likely fallen for it as well!) starts like this: “Hi mum my phone has just broken! Text me back on my new number when you get this, here 44 739 510 2107”. Seems innocent but this is the start of it. 

Next after some pleasantries and building an idea of the family dynamics, names, grand children etc, then comes the kicker “I know right I love you too mum I´m stressed out because I have a bill to pay for but I can´t access my online banking on my old phone and I have to go into the bank tomorrow morning with identification to get access to my online again, if I send you the invoice details would you be able to make a transfer to the details and I´ll have it sent back to you in the morning once I´ve sorted my online x” 

What parent wouldn’t say yes and try and help out their son/daughter? She did, and only when a second mysterious invoice appeared, and an attempt to transfer another few hundred pounds, did the bank step in and say “Are you sure? We suspect fraud”. Hopefully the money can be returned soon. Appropriate police reports later, and a scammer quid’s in, leaves a nasty taste in your mouth and lots of unresolved anger.