All UK WhatsApp users placed on alert and issued with urgent reminder this week

Anyone with WhatsApp installed on their devices would be wise to take note of new reminder that's been issued by UK experts. With so many people chatting via this popular messaging service it's no wonder it's become such as huge target for cyber crooks and it seems one scam continues to catch people out.

The scary "Hi mum" threat has been doing the rounds for years and has already cost unsuspecting consumers hundreds of thousands of pounds. Many end up handing cash over to crooks after believing that loved ones are in financial trouble.

For those who have never heard of this threat, it's easy to see why it's been so successful. Things begin with a simple message that usually starts with "Hi mum" or "Hi dad." Once a victim responds, the online thieves then start a conversation, which usually suggests that their phone has been lost and that they need money to buy a new one.

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It remains a hugely profitable scam for criminals, and it's something we all need to watch out for.

In a bid to stop more WhatsApp fans from becoming a victim, the team at Action Fraud has released a reminder telling UK users to be alert.

"Beware of fraudsters posing as friends or family, and claiming to need urgent financial help,"Action Fraud explained in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter ).

"If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person outside of WhatsApp to confirm their identity."

Action Fraud also says it's vital to block any strange messages and submit a report if you think you have been a victim of this messaging scam.

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"Report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions," Action Fraud explained.

"If you lost money as a result of the scam message, please report it to Action Fraud."

So, the advice remains clear. If you get a message from an unknown number, do not respond. If the message says it has come from a family member, head to your actual contacts and give them a call. You'll then find out if it's a scam.