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The WhatsApp Scam

The ‘WhatsApp Gold’ scam, which has being doing the rounds since 2016, has surfaced again in the form of a new message.

Action Fraud is warning consumers of another WhatsApp scam being circulated by fraudsters again. In the message, it is claimed that there is a video which will be launched called ‘Martinelli’. The video itself is a Prank and does not seem to exist. The message also warns of links being sent out to sign up for ‘WhatsApp Gold’.

Previous versions of ‘WhatsApp Gold’ messages have included promises of free flights and ‘exclusive’ access to Improved features such as … Read more

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Scammers Targeting University Students

Thousands of fraud reports have been received by the tax authority from students at university and colleges across the UK. Fake emails, which use university addresses in a bid to appear authentic , may tell people that they are owed money and encourage them to send their personal details. The recipient’s name and email address may be included several times within the email itself and the email will include links that redirect the recipient to websites where their data is stolen. The emails often spoof the branding of HMRC, Gov.UK or credit card branding.

Director of Action Fraud, Pauline … Read more

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12 Years In Jail For Timeshare Fraudster

Kristopher Chavez has been convicted by jury, of one count of violating the Colorado Organised Crime Control Act, one count of theft of an at-risk elder, and 19 counts of felony theft.

According to the initial indictment from December 2016, Chavez operated a timeshare fraud scheme from 2014 to 2016. He would contact timeshare owners from across the U.S, most of whom were elderly and vulnerable. He would invite them to a local hotel and would offer to transfer their timeshare ownerships over for a onetime fee. Once payment was made, Chavez would transfer the title out of their name … Read more

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Action fraud Warn About Pension Scammers

Action Fraud have released a statement saying that organised criminal groups led by married couples and families are scamming pension holders to the tune of millions of pounds.

Action Fraud say criminal investigations involving regulators, government agencies and police forces are currently ongoing into a number of these gangs. In some cases, the fraudsters have hired fraudulent financial experts with pension experience to run large-scale scams. The fraudsters would not be able to run these scams without the insider knowledge of fraudulent experts.

Victims report receiving cold-calls, offers of free pension reviews and promises of high returns. However a ban … Read more

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Fresh Warning Over Investment Scams

The Financial Conduct Authority is warning investors to be alert when investing their hard earned cash. Action Fraud has revealed that over £197 million was reported as stolen by scammers in 2018. On average, victims were conned out of £29,000 each, the FCA and Action Fraud are warning investors to be on the lookout for increasingly sophisticated fraudsters.

Data from the FCA call centre shows, that the most common scam reported involved investments in shares and bonds, forex and cryptocurrencies. The companies offering these products are not registered with the FCA and together they account for 85% of all … Read more

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Scammers Target Netflix Accounts

Netflix are warning customers to be Watchful after millions of users are targeted by scammers. The problem has become so bad the US government has issued an official warning about the highly convincing emails asking them to update their payment details, and a version of this scam is seeing users in the UK being also targeted.

Subscribers to the video streaming service have been warned that although the emails appear Persuasive , not to click on any of the internal links asking them to update their payment information. If users do click on the links, they are likely to have … Read more

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Friends Against Scams

A local community in Dudley is banding together and encouraging businesses and organisations to sign up to an anti-scam initiative. In the borough of Dudley an estimated £3.1 Million is lost each year to scammers, who explicitly target elderly and vulnerable people. Their details are circulated amongst fraudsters on what is known as a ‘Sucker List’, meaning some of these people are frequently targeted.

In an effort to tackle the problem, 1 year ago, Dudley’s Council Trading Standards department, launched a Scams Unit. They are now asking businesses, organisations, residents and voluntary services help to stop the scammers and protect … Read more

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Carbon Credit Fraudster Jailed For Eight Years

A man from Essex who lived a lavish lifestyle, has been jailed for eight years after mis-selling carbon credits to 130 victims in 2012 and 2013. He was found guilty of six counts of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.

The police say victims received cold calls from apparent brokers through companies named as Harman Royce Ltd and Kendrick Zale Ltd, and were persuaded into investing in voluntary emission reductions. They targeted people living in affluent areas and were all aged 50 and over. Carbon Credits were charged at between £5.26 and £6.50 with victims loses totalling £1.5 million.

Police … Read more

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The energy price cap is lifted and it’s bad news for UK households

From April this year, around 15 million households will see their energy bills rise by more than £100 a year. The energy regulator Ofgem, says it is lifting the price cap because wholesale prices have risen.

Ofgem sets maximum prices for energy suppliers that can be charged to customers. The new cap could see households typically pay an extra £117 a year.

Dermot Nolan, Chief executive of Ofgem spoke with the BBC: “We can assure these customers that they remain protected from being overcharged for their energy and that these increases are only due to actual rises in energy costs, … Read more

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Timeshare Trial May Hold Key To Solve Murder Case

The partner of serial Timeshare fraudster John “Goldfinger” Palmer is facing trial in Spain this week, in a case which police say could hold the key to his murder. Christina Ketley and Richard Cashman are accused of selling non-existent timeshares on Palmer’s orders, whilst he was behind bars serving 8 years for fraud.

In June 2018, Ms Ketley offered a £100,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution of those responsible for the murder of John Palmer. Ms Ketley said: “It haunts us every day to think that whoever was responsible was clearly watching John, Harassing him like an animal … Read more

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