A mother has been left financially ruined after cruel fraudsters emptied her bank account while she was still on the phone with them in what experts are calling one of the most brazen scams seen in recent years.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, described the moment she realised her entire savings had been stolen: "I felt physically sick. These people sounded so professional, so convincing - I had no idea I was being robbed in real time."
How the sophisticated scam unfolded
The ordeal began with what appeared to be a routine call from her bank's fraud department:
- The scammers used spoofing technology to make their call appear as the bank's genuine number
- They convinced the victim her account had been compromised
- Under the guise of "protecting" her money, they gained remote access to her device
- Within minutes, they transferred out her entire life savings
Warning signs everyone should know
Financial security experts highlight these red flags of phone scams:
- Urgency: Scammers create panic about "immediate action" needed
- Remote access: Legitimate banks never ask to take control of your device
- Payment requests: Authentic institutions won't demand transfers to "safe accounts"
The devastated mother is now working with Action Fraud and her bank to trace the stolen funds, but recovery prospects remain uncertain. Her story serves as a sobering reminder of the sophisticated tactics employed by modern criminals.
Protect yourself from phone scams
Authorities recommend these precautions:
- Never share banking details or passwords over the phone
- Hang up and call back using the official number from your card
- Install call-blocking apps to filter potential scam calls
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce cold calls
