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Police Scotland North East gives warning after businessman loses five-figure sum through payment diversion fraud





A businessman lost a five-figure sum to scammers through payment diversion fraud.

Criminals hacked the victims’ accounts and then sent him false invoices for payment, pretending to be his accountant.

Police have issued an online scam warning. Photo: Nottinghamshire Police
Police have issued an online scam warning. Photo: Nottinghamshire Police

When the victim, who is from the North East, queried one of the invoices with a genuine supplier, he realised he had been scammed.

Payment diversion fraud (PDF) affects all types of businesses and individuals.

However, due to the targeted nature of this fraud type, small and medium-sized businesses, which often have less comprehensive IT security, are particularly vulnerable.

Individuals purchasing houses and involved in large financial transactions are also at risk.

You can protect yourself against PDF by being vigilant about what you may be being asked to do.

A businessman lost a five-figure sum to scammers through payment diversion fraud. Stock Image
A businessman lost a five-figure sum to scammers through payment diversion fraud. Stock Image

Have you been asked to urgently process a payment that is large or unusual? Have you been asked to change the bank details of an existing supplier or to set up a new supplier? Is the language used in the email inconsistent with that of the genuine sender?

If you have any doubts about the transaction, then do not transfer the money.

Protect yourself by double-checking the payment request via an additional method using details from another source (such as text message, phone call or in-person).

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police.

“They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.

“Stop and think. It could protect you and your money.”

To see more on this and to get help click here.

Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam.




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