A mum lured a would-be WhatsApp scammer into her trap before launching an epic takedown.
The woman, who asked to stay anonymous, posted screenshots of the exchange on a Liverpool Facebook group after the anonymous stranger tried to con her into parting with her money. The number of WhatsApp scams soared by 2,000% last year, with victims losing an average of £1,950 each, according to analysis by Lloyds Bank.
At first, it looks like this woman was about to fall for the con when she received a WhatsApp message this week saying: "Hi mum it's me, this is my new number, my phone just broke. So you can delete that number and save this one"
READ MORE: Scams people in Merseyside need to be aware of as thousands fall victim
But really she was playing along, luring in the scammer with kisses and 'my love' as the texter on the other side claimed to have received a call from the bank who locked their "card and online banking because of the new phone situation".
When the scammer asked for £400, to be paid back the day after, the woman agreed, even asking if that's all they needed. After the trickster sent a name, sort code and account number, the woman took the battle of wits a step further.
She said she'd sent an extra £50 to their supposed child before asking if she could send her login details so they could check as she 'didn't know what she'd done'. That's when she revealed her hand, sending a picture of a blue bank card with letters saying "F**K YOU" overlayed.
In a text, she told the scammer her "daughter is 6 years old you pri**k and your now reported to police!" Later posting on Facebook, telling people to be wary, she said: "I only replied to get as much info as possible to report x"
The claim to need a new phone is a common story used by such scammers, according to Lloyds Bank, who advised customers what message characteristics to look out for, including use of 'Mum' or 'Dad' instead of a name.
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, and 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."
The banking giant issued the following guidance to stay safe from scammers:
- Be wary of any messages you receive from numbers which aren't already stored in your contacts, even if it appears to be from someone you know
- Don’t be rushed into anything – first of all contact the person on the number you already have stored in your contacts to check if the story is true
- If you can’t get hold of them, you can verify the identity of the person sending the message by insisting you speak to them before transferring any money
- Remember if it is a genuine family member or friend, they won’t mind you taking these steps to stay safe
