The person sending the text message will pretend to be:

• A family member (son/ daughter/ sibling/ grandchild) who has lost their phone and is making contact on a new phone number.

• They are usually based in a foreign jurisdiction.

• The fraudulent text will state they require urgent financial assistance, for example to pay an urgent medical bill or fine.

The victim of this fraud will then make a direct payment to the fraudster’s account.

An Garda Síochána are advising the public to be wary of unsolicited text messages from unknown numbers.

• Do not volunteer information as fraudsters are known to ‘fish’ for facts which they then use to make themselves sound more credible.

• Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.

• Verify the person’s identity – ask questions that a stranger couldn’t possibly answer; call a family member to verify if someone is operating under a different number even if you have been told to keep the story a secret.

• Do not send cash, gift cards or money transfers – once the fraudster receives the money, it’s gone.

• Trust your instincts.

The fraudster can also make contact via social media platforms using fake profiles.