Fraud hits £300k in months amid scammers' new crypto focus

Thursday 21 April 2022

Islanders lost nearly £300,000 to fraudsters in the first three months of this year – with the biggest losses linked to investment and cryptocurrency scams.

Police have received 19 scam reports since the start of 2022, totalling £266,659:

• £70,000 losses were linked to advance fee scams

• £67,000 to Cryptocurrency scams

• £60,000 to fraudulent marketing investment

• £25,700 to ‘savings at risk’ scams

• £19,698 to parcel delivery scams

• £10,000 to romance scams

• £14,161 linked to various others, ranging from WhatsApp scams to Facebook property rentals, Instagram money making schemes, online shopping, fake charities and ‘sextortion’.

“Fraudsters are constantly evolving the way they target victims, which is why we want to encourage islanders to remain cautious and to seek as much advice and guidance as possible as to how they can protect themselves against scammers,” said Chair of the Jersey Fraud Prevention Forum, Chief Inspector Chris Beechey.

“As the year continues, we hope Islanders will remain alert and think twice when they get a suspicious message, email or phone call. We encourage Islanders to challenge any communications they suspect may not be legitimate and to report them.” 

Anyone concerned about potential fraud, or attempted fraud, is urged to contact the Forum, their banks and the Police on 612612.