The number of WhatsApp scams has soared by 2,000% in the last year alone, according to research by Lloyds Bank.
Fraudsters are turning to the instant messaging app more and more in their efforts to con people out of their hard earned cash.
Victims have lost around £1,950 each on average with the high street bank now issuing a stark warning of things to look out for.
During the pandemic between 2020 and 2021, the total number increased twenty-fold, analysis shows.
Lloyds Bank is now warning customers about the WhatsApp fraudsters and said that messages can seem "very personal", reports the Liverpool Echo.
Scammers do not even need to know the person's name and will often use the pretence of being a family member who has lost their phone, referring to themselves as "mum" or "dad" instead.
A spokesperson for Lloyds Bank said: "The story they tell varies but most often they will claim that because it is a new phone, they don’t have access to their internet or mobile banking account, and therefore they need urgent help with paying a bill."
The banking giant also issued a list of guidance for people to stay safe from scammers.
This includes being wary of messages from unknown numbers and not rushing into anything,
Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds Bank, said: “Organised criminal gangs are always inventing new ways to dupe people out of their hard-earned cash.
"The emergence of the WhatsApp scam over the last year shows the depths to which these heartless crooks are prepared to sink.
“This is a cruel scam which preys on someone’s love for their family and friends, and that natural instinct we all have to protect those closest to us. With fraud on the rise it’s vital that people are aware of the warning signs and how to stay safe.
"Never ever trust a message from an unknown number without first independently verifying the person’s identity, even if it claims to be from someone you know. Always insist on speaking to someone before sending any money.”
