Police are warning parents in Gedling borough about a sick new scam where fraudsters send out texts telling them their child is in distress.
The vile texts tell victims their child has been injured in a car accident and has been forced to use someone else’s phone to get in touch.
It goes on to say that the only way they can continue to make contact is via text message.
The ‘child’ then makes a request that the parent buys and sends a mobile phone top-up code – which the fraudster will then use to put credit on their own mobile phone. Amounts requested have commonly been around £40 and £50.
The full text from one of the messages a victim received said: “Mum i did try and phone from someelse (sic) phone signal is really bad, there has been a terrible car accident.
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“I’m in the ICU ward in hospital my phone ain’t switching on and needs charging. I’m on this mobile number please make sure you reply to this number, my friend didn’t make it he died before we got to hospital and his sister’s fighting for her life.
“Mum i had my seatbelt on, i’ve got a head injury but i’m ok. Going into Xray to be seen, please make sure you message me back and don’t phone cause mobile phones aren’t allowed here so please text in case I’m in there.”
The text continues: “I will go outside and phone you mum its really bad i need you to do me favour before it’s too late, as soon as you get my text please reply by text i need you to do me a favour mum, time is running out and i need you to do something mum”.
After responding to the message, the fraudsters posing as the child ask victims to purchase a mobile phone top-up code and text it back to them. Once the fraudsters have the code, they can get the cash credited to their own mobile phone account.
Crime expert Simon Freeman from Freshskies.com said the scam could easily become more believable in the future if fraudsters began incorporating personal details that are freely available online.
He said: “If leakage of our personal details continues at the current pace then such scams may eventually become indistinguishable from reality.
“For instance, imagine if personal details were used such as real names, real locations and real car details”
If you receive one of these text messages report it immediately to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040
