Britons are being urged to exercise extreme caution on social media following an official alert from the UK's national reporting centre for fraud. A sophisticated and emotionally manipulative scam, known as the 'Friend in Need' con, is sweeping across platforms like Facebook and Instagram, leaving victims thousands of pounds out of pocket.
The cunning scheme preys on the goodwill of users by hijacking trusted friendships. Fraudsters gain access to a social media account, often through a previously infected link or a clever phishing attempt. Once inside, they lurk in the background, studying private messages to understand the victim's relationships and communication style.
How The Heartless Scam Operates
The attack is launched with a seemingly innocent message sent from the compromised account to the victim's list of friends. The message appears to come from someone they know and trust completely.
The narrative is carefully crafted to create a sense of urgency and secrecy. A typical message might claim the 'friend' is in a desperate situation, such as:
- Being locked out of their online banking and needing urgent funds to pay a bill.
- Stranded abroad without access to their money, needing help to get home.
- Facing a private emergency and requiring a discreet cash transfer.
The criminal then instructs the target to send money directly to a bank account, which is, of course, controlled by the fraudster. Because the plea appears to come from a genuine friend, many people act quickly out of concern, bypassing their usual scepticism.
Official Advice To Stay Safe
Action Fraud and cyber-security experts have issued clear guidance to prevent you from falling victim:
- Verify Independently: If you receive a sudden plea for money, contact your friend directly through a different method. Call them on the phone, send a text message, or use a separate messaging app to confirm their story.
- Question Urgency and Secrecy: Be highly suspicious of any request that pressures you to act quickly or asks you to keep the transaction a secret from others.
- Never Transfer Money to an Unknown Account: Legitimate requests from friends in genuine trouble will rarely involve transferring cash to a stranger's bank account.
- Secure Your Own Accounts: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your social media profiles to prevent them from being compromised in the first place.
If you believe you have been targeted or have fallen victim to this scam, you should report it immediately to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
