There are many ways a fraudster parts the unwary from their money and billions of pounds are handed over to scammers and fraudsters by the trusting public when promised an easy way to make money. There is no typical victim, and one of the best ways of protecting yourself from such a crime is to be extremely wary. Protect yourself by considering the following:

  • Always consider any offers, deals or investments for at least 48 hours before making a decision. It is rare for a genuine deal to vanish so quickly.
  • All offers, deals and investments carry risk, there are no guaranteed cannot lose schemes. A too good to be true deal is precisely that.
  • The fraudster may know about your previous investments and other personal details such as any shares you hold. This must not be regarded as evidence of good provenance; it is simply evidence of thorough research.
  • Be aware that the fraudster may draw you in by slowly building your trust and confidence and involving in a small investment that does produce a good return before setting up the bigger fraudulent deal.
  • Never hand over money until you have thoroughly researched the company or person involved and you are happy with their credentials.
  • Do not send money to anyone you do not know regardless of how key you are told they are to the deal.
  • Do not divulge your banking details. There is no reason to do so.
  • Do not rely on testimonials alone, however wonderful.
  • Do not click on a link in an email to go to a website, always log on separately.
  • Do not use a lawyer suggested by the scheme, seek independent legal advice.

There is no shame in being deceived by a fraudster, they are usually extremely charming, plausible and cunning, be assured you will not be first person to fall for their persuasive pitch. If you report your experience you will not only have a better chance of recovering your money and you will also make it harder for them next time.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.