Beware: ‘Hello Mom!’ WhatsApp Scam Targeting Parents and Friends

“Hi Mom,” the opening message states. “I’ve misplaced my phone.” It unfolds into a distressing narrative: somehow, the sender has also been locked out of their bank account.

Fortunately, friends usually have access to phones. It was through their device that the message was revealed. Alternatively, they might request assistance with rent or direct payment to their landlord or for any urgent bills that have surfaced.

Messages can arrive via WhatsApp or text. Scammers don’t always impersonate children; they might pose as friends or even parents.

Data from Santander indicates that among bank customers, the impersonation of a son is the most effective scam, followed by a daughter, then a mother.

Chris Ainsley, the head of fraud risk management at the bank, notes that fraud is progressing at “broken speeds.” He remarks, “AI voice impersonation technology is now being utilized to create audio messages for WhatsApp and SMS, enhancing the realism of fraud.”

What does fraud look like?

A seemingly friendly message from someone claiming to be close to you often comes from unknown numbers. If you don’t reply, they may persist before giving up. If you do respond, the scammer will typically engage in conversation but often with vague details.

They will quickly claim to need urgent funds for something and pressure you to act swiftly.

The “sender” may allege that their regular bank account has problems, instructing you to send money to an unfamiliar account.

What the message asks for

money. They’ll claim they urgently need cash to buy a new phone or for living expenses.

The bank details they provide will likely belong to someone else. They will claim it belongs to “friends” or someone they owe, and the amount requested is usually not a round figure. These accounts belong to scammers or third parties used as money mules.

What to do

If you suspect that a loved one is in actual trouble, verify the situation. Reach out using their usual number. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t reply immediately.

You can ask questions that only they would know the answers to.

To protect yourself against future scams, consider establishing a family password that can be requested to confirm the sender’s identity.

If you have sent money, contact your bank right away to see if you can halt the transactions.

You can report suspicious WhatsApp messages through the app. Simply select the message and choose to report it.

Fraudulent texts can be forwarded to 7726 to report them to your telecommunications provider.

You can also report scams to Action Fraud.

Whenever prompted to transfer funds, always be truthful about the situation to ensure the sender’s legitimacy.