Scammers have hijacked apps used by child footballers dreaming of Premier League fame.
The crooks pose as talent agents to fleece families by promising kids non-existent contracts with top clubs, a probe by the International Centre for Sport Security reveals.
One app hit was Playerhunter, a legitimate service linking agents and scouts to promising child players.
The gangs used contact details to trick their parents into paying huge sums for flights, hotels, visas and a medical. Many victims live as far away as Africa but UK families have been duped into wiring money too.
The scams have been made easier by the pandemic because face-to-face meetings are no longer possible.
Last night Fred Lord of the ICSS said: “Taking money by deception and killing dreams, organised criminal networks are always innovative.
“It will be critical to ensure that all football apps have... protection.”
A spokesman for Playerhunter said anti-scam changes had been made to the platform last month.
