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WhatsApp scams targeting the UK
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What’s the threat?
WhatsApp scammers are targeting the UK more than any other European country, with victims losing £2,437 on average. The figures come from UK financial firm Revolut, which has more than 11 million British customers. Its research found that WhatsApp scams made up 21 per cent of all reported UK fraud cases in 2024.
The most common scams offer fake job offers and investment schemes (51 and 38 per cent of total cases respectively). The former advertise basic admin roles for unrealistically high pay, and ask for an upfront payment (around £100-£300) to receive “training materials”, “background checks” or “equipment”. Other job ads trick you into laundering stolen money, such as by asking you to transfer money to an account while keeping some as commission.