Police figures reveal more than £1m lost in NI inxa0scamsxa0in last two months
In the last two months, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has received reports of investment attemptedxa0scamsxa0andxa0scamsxa0which have resulted in a loss in excess of £1.2 million to fraudsters.
In March, we saw losses of close to £612,000.xa0During the month of April, losses were close to around £690,000.
Chair ofxa0ScamwiseNI Partnership, Chief Superintendent Gerard Pollock said the staggering statistics illustrate how ruthlessxa0scammers are.xa0
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 ofxa0scams, Chief Superintendent Pollock said: Thexa0scamsxa0we 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 mostxa0scamsxa0now, 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 axa0scam, and criminals will constantly change how they present theirxa0scamxa0to 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 sophisticatedxa0scamxa0where the losses can be substantial.”
The best way to stop thisxa0scamxa0is 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 forwardxa0scamxa0texts to 7726 – the freexa0scamxa0text reporting service.
If you have been a victim of axa0scam, report it to police online at:
www.psni.police.uk/makeareportxa0
or call on 101, to your bank immediately, online at:
or call 0300 123 2040.
Information and advice on investment fraud is also available on our website:xa0https://bit.ly/44vATdXxa0
andxa0www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwisenixa0
or thexa0ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni
