WEEKLY FRAUD UPDATE FROM WEST MERCIA POLICE - ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT - 21/10/2025"

WHATSAPP SCAMS

Criminals have made use of WhatsApp as a vehicle to defraud unsuspecting victims for several years now. The commonest scam recently has probably been the “Hi, Mum/Dad” message. 

Other messages used by opportunist criminals have included FAKE GIVEAWAYS, EXCLUSIVE GROUPS, VERIFCATION CODES and WHATSAPP JOB OFFERS.

The current WhatsApp scam to be wary of is the WHATSAPP GOLD UPGRADE message.

This is a non-existent upgrade supposedly offering enhanced features and security, and may even claim a celebrity endorsement. If you follow the “sign up “message there is then a danger that you will download malware onto your phone, and then the criminals can steal your personal data.

So never click on any links in these suspect messages and you can report a message by selecting it in your conversation and tapping “Report”. Suspect Senders can be reported by opening the chat, click on the sender details and select “Block and Report”

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ASK SILVER

This is a new service offered by GETSAFEONLINE to check any suspect emails or texts.

Just take a screenshot or photo of the suspect message, open Ask Silver - Get Safe Online, then paste the image in the window. This will review the message and provide a report on the validity of the message.

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours.

If you have fallen for fraud

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take prompt action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

You can also report fraudulent mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudster’s phone number.

Scam calls received on WhatsApp can be blocked by opening the chat with the suspect phone number and tap on “Block”.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.