Bank warns of ‘cruel’ scam targeting vulnerable seniors

• TSB bank has issued a warning about a "cruel" surge in online "friendship fraud" targeting older and vulnerable individuals.
• Criminals exploit victims' loneliness and desire for connection, often posing as people in need of financial aid or claiming illness.
• One case involved a customer in their late sixties making 60 payments over four years to a scammer posing as a young person.
• The average loss per impersonation fraud case, which includes friendship fraud, is over £3,100, with some victims losing significantly more.
• Experts advise caution when forming online friendships, especially if money is requested, and urge people to report suspected scams to their bank and authorities.

IN FULL

Urgent warning after pensioner loses £4,000 in ‘cruel’ friendship scam