Friendship Fraud: How Scammers Target Lonely Older People Online | The Guardian

Friendship Fraud: A Rising Threat to Older Adults

Retirement often brings increased leisure time, but for some, it can also lead to loneliness – a vulnerability that criminals are increasingly exploiting. A concerning trend known as “friendship fraud” is on the rise, targeting older and bereaved individuals through online connections, and resulting in significant financial losses. TSB bank in the UK is reporting a surge in these scams, where fraudsters cultivate relationships over extended periods before systematically defrauding victims.

The scam mirrors romance fraud in its tactics, preying on the desire for companionship. Fraudsters initiate contact, often within Facebook groups centered around shared interests – like motoring, as one recent case illustrates – or via direct messages on platforms like Instagram. They invest time in building rapport, researching their targets’ online profiles to establish common ground and foster a sense of trust. This grooming phase is crucial, as it lays the foundation for future financial requests.

“They can look through your posts and replicate or repeat some of that to try and build the relationship,” explains Steph Harrison, a fraud specialist at TSB. “It’s relatively specific, which involves work on the other side.” The initial requests for money are typically small – £50 for university textbooks, for example – making them seem less alarming and easier to justify. However, these small amounts quickly accumulate as the scammer fabricates a series of increasingly urgent needs, ranging from medical bills to fabricated emergencies like fleeing an abusive situation. One TSB customer lost £4,000 to a scammer claiming urgent medical expenses, while another was defrauded of funds over a four-year period, making 60 payments to someone posing as a person escaping domestic abuse.

Caroline Abrahams of Age UK describes the fraud as “especially horrible and insidious,” highlighting the devastating impact it has on victims. “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,” she says. The consequences extend beyond financial loss, often causing significant emotional distress, eroding trust, and impacting victims’ overall wellbeing.

The methods used by fraudsters are evolving. Beyond requests for bank transfers, they are also increasingly seeking payment through gift cards, adding another layer of difficulty to recovery. The average loss per case reported by TSB is over £3,100, but the emotional toll is immeasurable. In one instance, a victim was threatened with the termination of the friendship unless they complied with demands for gift cards and payments.

What can be done to protect against friendship fraud? Experts advise severing contact immediately when a new online friend begins asking for money. Reporting the incident to Report Fraud and contacting your bank are crucial steps. For family members, being vigilant and initiating conversations with older relatives about their online friendships can help identify potential scams. Encouraging critical thinking – questioning inconsistencies in the scammer’s story – and reviewing social media privacy settings are also important preventative measures.

As online interactions become increasingly prevalent, the risk of friendship fraud is likely to grow. Awareness, vigilance, and open communication are essential to safeguarding vulnerable individuals from these cruel and manipulative schemes. Age UK offers online advice about scams and can be contacted for free at 0800 169 65 65.