Fraudsters Exploit Loneliness to Target Older People
As retirement brings more free time, many older adults find themselves seeking companionship and connection. Online groups, such as motoring clubs, often provide a sense of community and friendship. However, fraudsters are increasingly exploiting this desire for human contact through a scam known as “friendship fraud.”
In a typical scenario, a new online friend might claim financial difficulties, such as needing £50 to pay for university textbooks. Although the amount seems small, this initial payment is often the start of repeated requests for money. These requests, which appear minor individually, accumulate significantly over time, resulting in substantial financial loss for the victim.
TSB has reported a notable increase in scams where criminals use social media platforms to befriend older individuals before defrauding them of thousands of pounds. These scams often unfold over extended periods, making detection difficult.
The nature of this scam shares similarities with romance fraud, where victims are deceived into believing they have found a genuine partner. It particularly targets older adults who may be isolated or have experienced bereavement, making them more vulnerable to manipulation.
In one instance, a TSB customer lost £4,000 after befriending someone on Instagram who claimed urgent medical bills. Another case involved a person in their late 60s who maintained contact with a scammer for four years, believing the individual was escaping an abusive family. Over this time, the victim made 60 payments to the fraudster.
Another pensioner who connected with someone on Facebook was coerced into sending gift cards and money under threat of losing contact. Fortunately, this victim was later refunded £3,000.
Caroline Abrahams of the charity Age UK says the fraud is “especially horrible and insidious”.
“Older people who are lonely or bereaved are particularly vulnerable to being targeted, as criminals seek to exploit their isolation and yearning for friendship to part them from their money,” she says.
“Being scammed in this way can have devastating consequences, with victims suffering catastrophic losses – destroying not just their finances but their health, wellbeing and capacity to trust other people.”
How the Scam Operates
The initial contact often occurs within Facebook groups or through direct messages on Instagram. Fraudsters may research their targets beforehand, enabling them to craft messages that resonate and build trust by highlighting shared interests.
Steph Harrison, a fraud specialist at TSB, explains that fraudsters invest time in developing the relationship before requesting money.
“They can look through your posts and replicate or repeat some of that to try and build the relationship,” she says. “It’s relatively specific, which involves work on the other side.”
Once trust is established, the fraudster may maintain contact for years, frequently requesting small sums for everyday expenses like groceries. Alternatively, they might ask for larger amounts, such as £500 to cover urgent travel for medical reasons.
Payments are often requested via gift cards as well as bank transfers. According to TSB, the average loss per victim is approximately £3,100.
Preventive Measures and What to Do if Targeted
Steph Harrison advises that if conversations with an online acquaintance turn to money, it is prudent to end the relationship immediately.
Victims who suspect they have been scammed should report the incident to the relevant authorities and contact their bank. Keeping a detailed record of all communications with the fraudster is recommended.
If you are concerned that an older relative or parent may be a victim, it is important to engage in open discussions about their new online friendships. Encourage them to critically assess inconsistencies in the other person’s story and question requests for money.
Adjusting social media privacy settings to limit the sharing of personal information can also reduce vulnerability to manipulation.
Age UK offers online resources and support and can be reached free of charge at 0800 169 65 65.
