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The message appeared to clone the woman's daughter's number asking for money to replace a broken phone.

Clare woman’s significant losses from WhatsApp scam


GARDAI have warned people to be vigilant around text message and email communication after a woman in Clare was scammed out of a significant amount of money.

Clare crime prevention officer Sergeant Triona Brooks said, “During the week a lady was at home when she received a text message via WhatsApp from a person purporting to be her daughter.

“The text said that she had broken her phone and needed a replacement. This person then requested money to be transferred online and attached a link.

“The victim, a trusting individual did not question this at the time and clicked on the link and provided her banking details.”

A sum of €550 was taken from the account of the victim in four instalments, €150 x 3 and €100 x 1 before another attempt to take €100 was declined by the lady’s bank.

“This lady only realised the extent of this fraud the following day on speaking with her daughter by telephone and realised it was a scam,” said Sergeant Brooks.

She added, “We are reminding people to be vigilant of this particular type of scam and to speak with family members, friends by telephone or in person to verify details rather than communicating by email or text.”

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