Menu
10/05/2023
Scam Warning As Over £1.2m Lost To Fraud In Just Two Months
More than £1.2 million has been lost to fraud in just the last two months, according to the PSNI.
In March, victims of scams lost almost £612,000, followed by losses close to £690,000 in April.
Chair of ScamwiseNI Partnership, Chief Superintendent Gerard Pollock said the staggering statistics illustrate how ruthless scammers are.
Chief Superintendent Pollock said: "Behind each loss, no matter the amount, is someone or a business owner who has been taken advantage of in the most despicable and callous way. For some, the impact is devastating."
In terms of the types of scams, Chief Superintendent Pollock said the scams we have seen have three common features, and these are the signs you should watch out for:
• Investment opportunities that seem too good to miss
• Most have involved cryptocurrency in some form
• Most have started with a small investment initially, before snowballing into thousands
• Like most scams now, they have been committed at distance, with criminals exploiting communication networks through phones, social media, emails or text messages
Chief Superintendent Pollock said: "Due to the advances in technology, criminals can now access people's banking and personal data. Anyone can be targeted by a scam, and criminals will constantly change how they present their scam to lure people in. We know, however, what all scammers aim to do is access personal and financial details.
"The end goal is to get your personal details, such as your name, address, date of birth and who you bank with for your loss and their gain. This can then be used to commit a more sophisticated scam where the losses can be substantial."
The best way to stop this scam is to apply these five important rules…
1) Never click on links in text messages from someone you do not know
2) Never call or text suspicious numbers back
3) Never ever transfer money to someone you do not know or have not met
4) Always delete texts requesting personal or financial information or bank account details
5) Always forward scam texts to 7726 – the free scam text reporting service
If you have been a victim of a scam, report it to police online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or call on 101, to your bank immediately, online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Information and advice on investment fraud is also available on our website and www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.
In March, victims of scams lost almost £612,000, followed by losses close to £690,000 in April.
Chair of ScamwiseNI Partnership, Chief Superintendent Gerard Pollock said the staggering statistics illustrate how ruthless scammers are.
Chief Superintendent Pollock said: "Behind each loss, no matter the amount, is someone or a business owner who has been taken advantage of in the most despicable and callous way. For some, the impact is devastating."
In terms of the types of scams, Chief Superintendent Pollock said the scams we have seen have three common features, and these are the signs you should watch out for:
• Investment opportunities that seem too good to miss
• Most have involved cryptocurrency in some form
• Most have started with a small investment initially, before snowballing into thousands
• Like most scams now, they have been committed at distance, with criminals exploiting communication networks through phones, social media, emails or text messages
Chief Superintendent Pollock said: "Due to the advances in technology, criminals can now access people's banking and personal data. Anyone can be targeted by a scam, and criminals will constantly change how they present their scam to lure people in. We know, however, what all scammers aim to do is access personal and financial details.
"The end goal is to get your personal details, such as your name, address, date of birth and who you bank with for your loss and their gain. This can then be used to commit a more sophisticated scam where the losses can be substantial."
The best way to stop this scam is to apply these five important rules…
1) Never click on links in text messages from someone you do not know
2) Never call or text suspicious numbers back
3) Never ever transfer money to someone you do not know or have not met
4) Always delete texts requesting personal or financial information or bank account details
5) Always forward scam texts to 7726 – the free scam text reporting service
If you have been a victim of a scam, report it to police online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or call on 101, to your bank immediately, online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Information and advice on investment fraud is also available on our website and www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 January 2023
Scam Warning Issued As Energy Payment Rollout Begins
People have been urged to be vigilant and on their guard against scammers looking to cash in, as households begin to receive their £600 energy payment vouchers.
Scam Warning Issued As Energy Payment Rollout Begins
People have been urged to be vigilant and on their guard against scammers looking to cash in, as households begin to receive their £600 energy payment vouchers.
05 February 2008
Scam Scam, and More Scam As NI Loses Millions
Over £100 million is lost in Northern Ireland every year from scams, according to government research. Every year, thousands of bargain hungry consumers fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures.
Scam Scam, and More Scam As NI Loses Millions
Over £100 million is lost in Northern Ireland every year from scams, according to government research. Every year, thousands of bargain hungry consumers fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures.
02 December 2019
Relief As £107k Online Scam Foiled
An elderly woman from Co Down has been saved from an online scam worth almost £107,000. Fraudsters struck when the target, aged in her seventies, was searching online for investment opportunities in October. The woman gave her details to what she believed was a genuine company, but was in fact communicating with fraudsters.
Relief As £107k Online Scam Foiled
An elderly woman from Co Down has been saved from an online scam worth almost £107,000. Fraudsters struck when the target, aged in her seventies, was searching online for investment opportunities in October. The woman gave her details to what she believed was a genuine company, but was in fact communicating with fraudsters.
06 February 2024
New Campaign Raises Awareness Of Online Grooming
A new campaign to raise awareness of the dangers for children online has been launched by the PSNI and the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), on Safer Internet Day, Tuesday 6th February 2024. According to the PSNI, online sexual offences against children are becoming an increasing crime type in Northern Ireland.
New Campaign Raises Awareness Of Online Grooming
A new campaign to raise awareness of the dangers for children online has been launched by the PSNI and the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), on Safer Internet Day, Tuesday 6th February 2024. According to the PSNI, online sexual offences against children are becoming an increasing crime type in Northern Ireland.
02 October 2023
Renewed Appeal For Information On Murder Of Sean Fox
The PSNI's Major Investigation Team have renewed an appeal for information one year on from the murder of Sean Fox in west Belfast. Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our thoughts are very much with the Fox family today, one year on from the murder of Sean.
Renewed Appeal For Information On Murder Of Sean Fox
The PSNI's Major Investigation Team have renewed an appeal for information one year on from the murder of Sean Fox in west Belfast. Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our thoughts are very much with the Fox family today, one year on from the murder of Sean.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
