4 Most Convincing Scams of 2023 to Watch Out For

The consumer group said there are currently a number of sophisticated scams circulating in the UK.

Which? Tech Editor Lisa Barber said, “It’s appalling that scammers continue to thrive in 2023 as a new wave of convincing scams bombards consumers from every direction.”

4 Most Convincing Scams of 2023 to Watch Out For

Which? said these are the most convincing scams So far in 2023, you’ve seen what people need to watch out for:

People are being warned to be on the lookout for scams in 2023. (Image: PA)

pig slaughter

Which? called: “These scams got their name from scammers because they “fatten” the victim by creating a romantic connection before doing the investment part of the scam.

The scammer and the victim usually meet on a dating website and the victim is “love bombed” for a time by someone who appears to have a keen interest in her life.

“The scammer often encourages their victim to switch from the dating site to a private messaging service, thereby depriving them of any protection that the dating site may offer.”

“If the victim is adequately prepared, the scammer will claim they have successfully invested – typically in real estate or cryptocurrencies – and will offer to invest some of the victim’s money.

“Sometimes, if the victim agrees, they are shown a crypto trading platform controlled by the scammers and asked to log in and start depositing funds.”

Which? adding that a British victim has lost £107,000 to a pig slaughter scam because they believed they were investing in senior housing abroad.

People are being urged to be on the lookout for the “pig slaughter” scam. (Image: Canva)

Fake Missing Persons Appeal

People are urged to spread fake online posts about missing persons more widely.

Which? said its experts knew they were fake because there were nearly identical posts on community sites around the world, just the location had changed.

Comments on the posts are disabled to avoid people pointing out the inconsistencies.

After the post receives a large number of likes, the content is converted into something else entirely, such as a simple investment scam.

Which? adding that the “despicable” scam relies on responsible citizens liking and sharing posts to help, which they are doing in large numbers.

Some missing person reports are real, but sometimes it can be difficult to tell.

To avoid that a Fraud or unwittingly engaging in stalking or harassment, huh? recommends only sharing official posts made by organizations such as the police or the Missing People charity (missingpeople.org.uk).

⚠️ Fake emails claiming to be from TV Licensing and the DVLA are used to trick people into revealing their banking details.

– Which? (@WhichUK) May 21, 2023

PayPal scam

Which? called: “People are getting a ‘money request’ from a real PayPal email address.

“This may seem perfectly normal, but scammers may be sending out fake payment requests, often for high-value items, or posing as HMRC to demand ‘overdue’ tax payments.

“In some versions of the scam, the fake invoice states that the victim’s PayPal account has been compromised and encourages them to call a fake scam hotline.

“People should never pay PayPal bills they don’t recognize or call phone numbers on those bills.”

Fake apps warning

Which? called: “Some apps can install malware on phones, steal data and damage them scams.

“While app stores are taking steps to address the issue, threats may still exist.”

“When you install an app, click on the developer’s name and check what other apps they’ve made to see if they appear legitimate.”

The consumer group added, “People should keep in mind that app reviews can be fake.”

“The app will likely ask users for permissions — for example, to use the camera. These must be relevant and proportionate to the functionality of the app.”

“Anyone who believes they have been scammed should contact their payment provider immediately and report it to Action Fraud.”