Individuals and buisnesses have been targeted by fraudsters.
Action Fraud are warning that Individuals and businesses are being targeted by cold calls and online contact from fraudsters who are offering victims the opportunity to apply for Government grants for an advance fee.
To make the grants look legitimate fraudsters have set up bogus companies and convincing looking websites that claim to be operating on behalf of the UK Government.
What do they do?
Fraudsters cold call businesses and individuals offering the grant and if they’re interested direct them to fill out an online application form with their personal information.
Once the fraudsters have that information they’ll contact back victims and congratulate them on being accepted onto the grant programme. Applicants are then asked to provide identification and are instructed to get a pre-paid credit card to deposit their own contribution to the fake Government grant scheme.
Fraudsters will then contact victims on the phone or are emailed and asked for the details of their pre-paid credit card and copies of statements to in order for them to add the grant funds. The grant funds are never given by the fraudsters and the money that’s been loaded by the victim onto the card is stolen.
Top Tips
This month Action Fraud have given warnings about Computer Service Fraud Victims being re-targeted as well as Fornite Gamers being targeted for scams. WannaCry phishing emails and fake EE Text scams are also included.
People tricked into sending their life savings to fraudsters could see their money reimbursed from today onwards, as a new voluntary code comes into effect. But only some banks have signed up so far – so will you be protected?
The news of the arrests comes as victims of this fraud type are found to have lost in excess of £20 million last year