


You can also call police on the non-emergency number 101. If you have any concerns about unsolicited calls, emails or letters then please report it on Action Fraud’s website or by phoning 03. We would ask you to share this information with family members and make them aware of what to do if they receive a suspicious message. We have seen a rise in the number of WhatsApp scams in Northern Ireland and these cases particularly involve older people. If you’re still in doubt, ask a question that only your family member could answer. Does the message sound like your family member? Look at the tone and language they’ve used in their messages.Call the original number you have saved for that person to verify that you are messaging a family member.Here is what to do if you are suspicious: You may feel a sense of urgency in the messages as the scammer will try to convince you or pressurise you to pay quickly, but it is important to stop and think as it could protect you and your money. “Hey mum, it’s me.” is a very believable message to receive for many people, but if you’re contacted unexpectedly by a number you don’t recognise and they start requesting money - keep calm. Real life example of a WhatsApp scam messages Examples of WhatsApp scam messagesīelow are real-life examples of WhatsApp scam messages - note how the fraudster attempts to move the conversation on once the intended victim has responded. For example in 2021, we saw a victim lose £6,000 after receiving one of these messages.

In some cases, the victim has been careful enough to check with the relative and has realised it’s a scam before parting with any money.
