It's the scam that preys on our emotions and has seen criminals steal at least $7.2 million from 11,100 Australians so far this year – and that's just what's been reported to the consumer watch dog.
Cases of the 'Hi Mum' scam date back to January and have been widely reported.
But the amount of victims has increased tenfold in the past three months, according to the latest figures from the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC).
