Police warn teenagers about social media scam that has cost victims hundreds of pounds
Cheshire Constabulary is warning teenagers and their parents about a social media scam that has left young people hundreds of pounds out of pocket or unwittingly involved in laundering criminal money.
The force’s Economic Crime Unit says scammers are placing job adverts on TikTok, promising easy income before drawing victims into WhatsApp and then Telegram chats.
Victims are offered two types of role.
Those recruited as “traders” are given small tasks, with earnings appearing to build up in an investment or cryptocurrency account.
When they try to access the money, they are told they must pay a release fee of between £80 and £300 to account details provided by the fraudsters.
Some teenagers have made two or three payments before realising the funds do not exist.
Those recruited as “cashiers” are asked to provide their own bank account details, falsely believing they are working for TikTok.
They receive money into their accounts — funds which Cheshire Constabulary says are release fees paid by other victims — before passing it on to the fraudsters while also making small payments to new recruits joining the scam.
Allowing a bank account to be used in this way constitutes money muling, which is a criminal offence.
PC Jim Day from Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Despite what some ‘influencers’ profess online, there are, unfortunately for us all, no get rich quick schemes.
“If it sounds too good to be true, then it’s usually a scam.
“Online fraudsters have continued to become increasingly sophisticated in the ways that they target victims, particularly teenagers, to gain their trust and trick them into parting with their money or allowing their bank accounts to be used to launder criminal funds.
“If you’re bombarded by stories of influencers and others making money online, it’s understandable that you might begin to believe them.
“These scams lure you in on the promise of easy money but prey on you and leave you significantly out of pocket or at risk of further consequences.
“We urge teenagers and their parents or carers to be alive to the risks of such scams and to steer well clear and avoid being taken in.”
Incidents can be reported to the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk.
Further advice on online fraud is available at cheshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/online-fraud/
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
