Fraudsters are increasingly using social media to befriend older people and defraud them of thousands of pounds, in what experts describe as an 'insidious' scam. TSB has reported a rise in cases where criminals exploit loneliness and a desire for human contact, often targeting those who are isolated or bereaved.
The scam, which shares characteristics with romance fraud, involves building a fake friendship over weeks or even years before making requests for money. In one case, a TSB customer lost £4,000 after befriending someone on Instagram who claimed to need urgent medical bill payments. Another victim in their late 60s made 60 payments over four years to a scammer who said they were fleeing an abusive family.
Caroline Abrahams of Age UK described the fraud as 'especially horrible and insidious', adding that it can have devastating consequences on victims' finances, health, and ability to trust. The average loss per victim is £3,100, according to TSB.
Fraudsters often initiate contact through Facebook groups or Instagram direct messages, researching victims' posts to feign common interests. Steph Harrison, a TSB fraud specialist, advises cutting off contact as soon as money is mentioned. Victims should report scams to Report Fraud and their bank, and log all interactions.
To protect older relatives, experts recommend discussing new online friendships, checking for inconsistencies in stories, and ensuring social media privacy settings are secure. Age UK offers free scam advice at 0800 169 65 65.
