Beware of fake children on WhatsApp

Over the course of the week, there have been several cases of fraud by fake children via WhatsApp, in which the fraudsters have exploited the gullibility of their victims and caused significant financial damage.

First via SMS, then via WhatsApp

In Henstedt-Ulzburg, a 62-year-old was targeted by fraudsters. She initially received a text message from an unknown number posing as her daughter. A little later, the perpetrator asked via WhatsApp for the first transfer of almost 2,400 euros. After confirming the transfer, the fraudsters asked for a second transfer, whereupon the victim became suspicious and her husband called the real daughter, so the fraud was exposed.

Here is an example of how a current scam works! (Not identical to the case just mentioned) First, the victim receives an SMS informing them that they should continue communicating via WhatsApp. (Thanks to Christine P. for providing the screenshots)

Wrong daughter asked for instructions to make two real-time transfers of 3,300 and 3,500 euros

Already on Sunday, a 58-year-old from Bornhöved received a WhatsApp from a number he did not know, which was supposedly the new number of his daughter, whose cell phone had been dropped. While chatting, the fake daughter asked for two real-time transfers of 3,300 and 3,500 euros. The injured party finally became suspicious when his supposed child asked for it to be re-done because one of the transfers was supposed to have gone to the wrong bank account. He then contacted his daughter's boyfriend, and the real daughter contacted him a short time later.

Wrong son asked for two real-time transfers totaling 4,600 euros

On Tuesday, the fraudsters posed as the son of a couple who allegedly lost his cell phone and therefore had a new number. The alleged junior then asked his parents for two urgent real-time transfers totaling 4,600 euros, which the parents complied with.

Another fake daughter wanted 2,600 and 3,000 euros

In Norderstedt, too, a victim transferred over 2,600 and 3,000 euros at the request of her fake daughter on Tuesday, although the smaller transfer could still be stopped by the bank. Here, too, the cell phone was allegedly broken.

Note: Real-time transfers cannot be reversed

What is striking is that fraudsters pressure their victims to make immediate or real-time transfers under the pretext of financial distress. There is no chance of a chargeback.

At this point, the police would like to point out that messages from unknown numbers should be handled sensitively. Do not give information about your financial situation to strangers, do not reveal any personal information or account details and never respond to financial demands via text message, email or phone call. Personal contact with a relative can quickly clarify whether it is a scam.

If a transfer has already been made, contact your bank as quickly as possible to stop the flow of money and file a criminal complaint with the police.

We at Mimikama advise caution!

You think you wouldn't fall for that? May be. But maybe your parents or grandparents , friends or acquaintances .

That's why we appeal to you: warn the people who are close to you about this scam!

This is how you can protect yourself:

• If someone you know contacts you via Messenger at an unknown number, do not save the number automatically.
• Ask the person you know at the old number whether there really is an emergency situation. The best way to do this is to call. If you can't reach the person you know, don't act rashly.
• Be suspicious if the person doesn't want to call the number you don't know - even if they may give convincing reasons for it.
• As soon as demands or requests for money are made , alarm bells should ring.
  No matter whether by post, email, telephone or via messenger services such as WhatsApp.
• Pay attention to the security settings of the messaging service you use.

If you have fallen victim to such a nasty scam:

• Always file a criminal complaint .
• Under no circumstances should you make any further monetary payments .
• Inform your bank in order to stop or reverse any cash flows that may have taken place.

SAVE, COPY, SHARE!

At this point we have created an image for you that you can copy and forward via WhatsApp. It is intended to protect your parents and grandparents from becoming victims of such a nasty scam.

source

Bad Segeberg Police Department

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