Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa Brothers Scam Victims
- As of December 29, 2025, a refined scam known as "hello father, hello mother" continues to ensnare individuals across Portugal, exploiting familial trust through digital channels.
- Pedro Rebelo de Sousa, a lawyer and brother of Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, fell victim to the scam in 2022.
- The "hello father,hello mother" scam relies on creating a sense of urgency and emotional distress,frequently enough preventing victims from verifying the request through other means.
“Hello Father, Hello Mother” scam Targets High-Profile Portuguese Citizens
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As of December 29, 2025, a refined scam known as “hello father, hello mother” continues to ensnare individuals across Portugal, exploiting familial trust through digital channels. Teh scheme, which gained prominence in 2022, involves fraudsters impersonating a victim’s child via messaging applications – most commonly WhatsApp – and fabricating urgent financial needs.
President’s Brother Among Victims
Pedro Rebelo de Sousa, a lawyer and brother of Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, fell victim to the scam in 2022. He received a message from an individual posing as his daughter, requesting an immediate money transfer. Believing the plea to be genuine, Rebelo de Sousa authorized a payment of 987 euros.
Former Politician Also Targeted
Eduardo Oliveira e Sousa, a former deputy for the PSD (Social Democratic Party) and, at the time of the incident, president of the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal (CAP), was also deceived by the same tactic. Oliveira e Sousa lost a substantially larger sum – 3,600 euros – after transferring funds to the scammer.
Rising Prevalence and Prevention
While relatively unknown in 2022, awareness of the “hello father, hello mother” scam has increased. However, fraudsters continue to refine their methods, making it crucial for individuals to remain vigilant. Experts recommend the following preventative measures:
- Verify the Request: Always independently confirm the identity of the sender and the legitimacy of the request through a separate communication channel (e.g.,a phone call to the family member).
- Be Wary of Urgency: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly without thinking critically.
- Question Unusual Requests: Be suspicious of requests that are out of character or involve unusual payment methods.
- Protect Personal Information: Limit the amount of personal information shared online, especially on social media platforms.
“The emotional manipulation inherent in this scam makes it particularly effective. victims are frequently enough hesitant to question a request purportedly coming from their own children,” notes cybersecurity analyst Ana Silva.