Friend-in-Need Scam

Recognising and Avoiding Friend-in-Need Scams

Friend-in-need scams involve fraudsters posing as friends or acquaintances, claiming to be in urgent trouble. These scams often rely on emotional manipulation, requesting financial help for emergencies such as travel problems, accidents, or bail money.

Things to Be Careful About:

Unverified Messages: Scammers often use hacked accounts or fake profiles to contact victims.
Urgent Appeals: Claims of emergencies requiring immediate financial assistance are a red flag.
Unusual Requests: Fraudsters may ask for untraceable payment methods, like gift cards or wire transfers.
Emotional Manipulation: Appeals to your sympathy or fear are common tactics in these scams.
Vague Details: Scammers may avoid specifics about their identity or situation to avoid being caught.

Actions You Can Take:

Verify the Claim: Contact your friend directly through known channels to confirm the situation.
Ask Personal Questions: Pose questions only your real friend would know the answers to.
Do Not Send Money: Avoid transferring funds until you’ve independently verified the story.
Secure Accounts: Inform your friend if their account may have been hacked, and encourage them to update passwords.
Report the Incident: Notify social media platforms or messaging services about fake profiles or hacked accounts.

Friend-in-need scams prey on emotions and trust, but by staying cautious and verifying claims, you can protect yourself and others. Always take time to confirm the legitimacy of urgent requests before acting.