Gardai have warned the public to be on the lookout for a "grandparent scam" that's doing the rounds with the fraudsters using it to steal money from vulnerable people.
According to gardai, this scam involves the fraudsters sending a text message posing as a family member saying they need financial help or are in some sort of trouble that needs to be kept secret. The person sending the text message will often pretend to the person's family member such as their child or grandchild.
The scammer is usually also based in a foreign jurisdiction, and while posing as the person's family member they will ask the person to pay for an urgent medical bill or fine. The victim of this fraud will then make a direct payment to the fraudster’s account.
