Warning after Residents Lose Money in Whatsapp Scam

Hertfordshire Constabulary is warning residents to be wary of Whatsapp messages which appear to be from relatives asking for money to be sent to them.

Parents have been receiving messages claiming that their child’s phone has broken and their child is in need of urgent financial assistance. Fourteen reports have been made during June with total losses of more than £13,000.

Detective Sergeant Mark Fava, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: ‘Remember that on Whatsapp (like emails and phone calls) people are not always who they claim to be. If you get a message from a number you do not recognise, claiming to be someone you know and asking for money or personal information, it is best to pause and check that they are who they claim to be. We advise asking them to call you or meet you in person before acting on their request.’

If you believe that you are a victim of fraud please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report, using a different phone to that used to communicate with the fraudsters. If a fraud is in progress or someone’s life is in danger, call 999 immediately.

Visit www.actionfraud.police.uk or www.herts.police.uk/protectyourmoney for advice on avoiding scams.