“Overly trusting” islanders lose £217k to Christmas fraudsters

Monday 22 January 2018

Islanders were scammed out of more than £217,000 over the festive period following a spate of frauds.

Back in December, Police warned of a text message scam in which NatWest and Lloyds Bank customers were told that their debit cards had been recently used and requested to call a ‘fraud prevention’ hotline. The number was fake, and islanders were instead asked for their personal information and bank account details.

It resulted in losses of around £180,000 in the space of just 24 hours. 

Further fraud alerts were issued this month after islanders were targeted by faux financial crime investigators and later ransom-style emails threatening death or harm to family members if the reader did not pay out a sum in bitcoins. 

Pictured: Islanders were told their family members could be hurt if they didn't send significant amounts of bitcoins in one of the newest scams to hit Jersey people.

These aren’t the only scams in circulation, however – postal scams, holiday villa fraud and dishonest activity on local ‘buy and sell’ websites all remain on the authorities’ radar.

Chief Inspector Chris Beechey, who is Chairman of the Jersey Fraud Prevention Forum (JFPF), explained the danger of an ‘island mentality’ in the context of fraud: “Living in Jersey we can too easily be overly trusting, believing that the Island is a safe place and that we’re protected from frauds and scams. But this sadly is not always the case. For example, before Christmas a number of Islanders were targeted by fraudsters in a banking scam. The combined total stolen was in excess of £217,000.”

Now the JFPF are taking action to stop more locals falling prey. This week, the forum will be touring town in a bid to educate as many people as possible on the risks, starting today at the King Street and Don Street cross-section at 10:30 until 14:30.

Various banks will also be getting involved with manned information stands in their branches.

All island homes will also receive a newsletter featuring information and advice. 

Where to find the JFPF this week: 

• Monday 22 January 10:30-14:30 – King Street / Don Street

• Wednesday 24 January 10:30-14:30 – King Street / Don Street

• Thursday 25 January 10:00-15:00 – NatWest, Library Place

• Friday 26 January 10:30-15:30 Lloyds, Broad Street