Friendship Fraud: Warnings of a Sharp Rise in 'Insidious' Scams Targeting Older People
Fraudsters are exploiting isolation and the human need for connection with devastating effects. As loneliness sets in during retirement, many older adults turn to online communities, only to fall prey to structured scams known as friendship fraud. TSB reports a significant increase in these schemes, where criminals use social media to befriend victims before defrauding them of thousands of pounds over extended periods.
How the Scam Operates
The initial contact often occurs in a Facebook group or via a direct message on Instagram. Fraudsters invest time in researching their targets, grooming victims by mimicking shared interests to build trust. For example, a bond might form over a common passion like cars, making the scam feel genuine. After establishing a relationship, the fraudster begins requesting money, starting with small amounts like £50 for university textbooks, which escalate into numerous payments.
Steph Harrison, a fraud specialist at TSB, explains that these criminals carefully craft their approach. "They can look through your posts and replicate or repeat some of that to try and build the relationship," she says. "It's relatively specific, which involves work on the other side." Once the connection is solid, the fraudster may prolong it for years, asking for constant small sums for groceries or a large amount, such as £500 for an emergency flight due to medical reasons. Payments are often requested through gift cards or bank transfers, with victims losing an average of £3,100.
Real-Life Cases and Vulnerabilities
In one distressing case, a TSB customer lost £4,000 after befriending someone on Instagram who claimed to need urgent help with medical bills. Another victim, in their late 60s, spent four years communicating with a scammer posing as someone fleeing an abusive family, making 60 payments. After a pensioner made friends on Facebook, they were threatened with severed contact unless they sent gift cards and money, though they were later refunded £3,000.
Caroline Abrahams of Age UK describes this fraud as "especially horrible and insidious." She notes, "Older people who are lonely or bereaved are particularly vulnerable to being targeted, as criminals seek to exploit their isolation and yearning for friendship to part them from their money. Being scammed in this way can have devastating consequences, with victims suffering catastrophic losses – destroying not just their finances but their health, wellbeing and capacity to trust other people."
Steps to Protect Yourself and Others
If an online conversation turns to money, sever the relationship immediately. Report any suspected scams to Report Fraud and contact your bank, keeping logs of all interactions. For those concerned about older relatives, initiate a discussion about their new friendships and look for inconsistencies in the friend's story. Encourage questioning why money is being requested and ensure social media privacy settings are robust to prevent manipulation.
Age UK offers free online advice on scams and can be reached at 0800 169 65 65 for support. By staying vigilant and informed, individuals can help combat this growing threat and protect vulnerable loved ones from financial and emotional harm.
