A chilling new scam is sweeping across the UK, leaving devastated parents thousands of pounds out of pocket after fraudsters cunningly impersonate their own children.
Dubbed the 'Hi Mum' or 'Hi Dad' scam, criminals are hijacking WhatsApp accounts to send desperate, pleading messages to their contacts list. The messages are designed to create panic and urgency, tricking loving parents into transferring large sums of money to what they believe is their child in crisis.
How The Heartless 'Hi Mum' Scam Works
The fraud follows a sinisterly simple yet effective pattern:
- The Initial Contact: You receive a message from a number you don't recognise, simply saying "Hi Mum" or "Hi Dad".
- The Explanation: When you question the number, the scammer claims to be your child and says they have lost or broken their phone, hence the new number.
- The Emergency: After a brief chat to build trust, the 'child' suddenly reveals an urgent financial crisis. This is often a claim that they need to pay a bill urgently but cannot access their online banking, or that they need money to secure a new phone.
- The Pressure: They plead with you to transfer money immediately to a provided bank account to solve their fabricated emergency.
The emotional manipulation is brutal and effective. In the heat of the moment, the desire to help your child overrides rational suspicion.
Red Flags: How to Spot This Scam
Stay vigilant and watch for these key warning signs:
- A new number: The message comes from a completely unfamiliar mobile number.
- Vague language: The scammer will use generic terms like "Mum" or "Dad" instead of a family nickname.
- A sense of urgency: They will pressure you to act quickly, claiming the situation is critical.
- A request for money transfer: The ultimate goal is always to get you to send money via bank transfer.
Protect Yourself: Essential Steps to Take
If you receive a suspicious message, take these steps immediately:
1. Stop and Verify: Do not transfer any money. Hang up or stop messaging and call your child directly on their original, known number to confirm their story.
2. Ask a Personal Question: Pose a question only your real child would know the answer to, like the name of a family pet or a childhood memory.
3. Report It: Report the scam message to the police via Action Fraud and to the WhatsApp messaging platform itself.
4. Warn Your Family: Spread the word. Discuss this scam with your family and friends, especially those who may be more vulnerable.
Remember: Banks will never ask you to transfer money to a 'safe account'. If you have already sent money, contact your bank immediately—every second counts in potentially tracing the funds.
