Smartphone users repeatedly receive text messages from alleged family contacts. Behind these messages there is a scam to trick the recipients into making money transfers.

Family Contacts: Fraudulent messages on the go

You will receive an SMS with the following or a similar sounding wording

“Hello mom/dad, my SIM card is broken. This is my new cell phone number. You can save them! Send me a message via WhatsApp straight away to my new number ¬+491XXXXXX…”.

Original message
Fake SMS message from family contact. Screenshot: Northeim police station
Fake SMS message from family contact. Screenshot: Northeim police station

After contacting us via WhatsApp, the alleged family members then suggest a problem with online banking due to the new number. Since this doesn't work and you still have to make an urgent transfer, the parents are asked to take care of this. It is assured that the money will be transferred back promptly.

Dirk Schubert, crime prevention officer at the Northeim police station, advises: “Check with your family members by calling their “previous” number or asking in an alternative way. Do not call the number that contacted you. The perpetrators often have new scams on the phone to convince you of its authenticity. Don't let alleged problems stop you from contacting your real family members. You can also question things that only real friends or family members can know and under no circumstances transfer any money!”.

Further information on messenger fraud can be found in the Internet crime guide from the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office at: https://www.polizei-praevention.de/aktuelles/messenger-betrug-die-fähr-durch-gefaelschte-freunde-oder-familienkontakte.html

Source:

Northeim police station
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