**UK WhatsApp Users Warned: Widespread Scam Prompts Fresh Security Alert**
WhatsApp’s incredible popularity across the UK has come with an unwelcome consequence: it remains a favoured platform for online scammers intent on exploiting unsuspecting users. This week, Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, has reiterated its urgent warning for all WhatsApp users after a notorious scam continues to claim new victims.
The scam, commonly dubbed the “Hi Mum” or “Hi Dad” con, is disturbingly simple in its execution but deeply effective. Fraudsters send messages that impersonate a family member—typically a son or daughter—claiming their phone has been lost, and asking for immediate financial assistance to replace it. The communication often begins with a seemingly innocent message, such as “Hi mum,” in an attempt to set the stage for a more complex deception.
Once the fraudster secures engagement from the target, they quickly build a narrative around a supposed emergency. A story of a lost, broken, or stolen phone usually follows, with an urgent request for funds to sort out the crisis. Victims, believing they are helping a loved one in distress, may transfer money directly to the scammer’s account—often never realising the request was bogus until it is too late.
Action Fraud’s recent message, shared widely on social media, implores the public to stay cautious and to question any out-of-character communication. Their advice is unequivocal: do not act on a WhatsApp message requesting money without first verifying the sender’s identity outside the app. A simple phone call, they say, remains the most reliable method to confirm whether a family member is truly in trouble.
“Beware of fraudsters posing as friends or family, and claiming to need urgent financial help,” the official Action Fraud account stated this week. If a contact makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, users are urged to confirm it directly by calling that person, rather than continuing the conversation within the app.
For those who encounter suspicious messages, WhatsApp provides built-in tools to take action. Users can report unwanted messages or block the sender by pressing and holding the chat bubble, selecting ‘Report’, and then following the on-screen instructions. Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to such a scam, especially if financial loss has occurred, is strongly encouraged to make an official report to Action Fraud.
In addition to these practical steps, security specialists are urging the public to remain vigilant about messages from unfamiliar numbers, even if the sender purports to be a trusted loved one. If there is any uncertainty, the recipient should check their contact’s authentic phone number and reach out directly by call or another secure means.
Cyber crime analysts note that the “Hi Mum” scam highlights a wider trend of criminals manipulating digital trust. As online communication surpasses traditional means, the potential for scams exploiting emotional connections grows. This case demonstrates the need for ongoing digital literacy and heightened public awareness as the first line of defence.
The message from experts is clear: regardless of the platform, any request for urgent money transfers should be met with caution and directly verified. By following official guidance and remaining wary of unsolicited contact, users can drastically reduce their risk of falling prey to ever-adapting online fraud strategies.