POLICE Scotland are warning the public of a new phone scam that has been reported across the UK, including in Dumfries and Galloway.
A member of the public, from the Thornhill area, received a call on his mobile from his wife’s mobile number, on answering the call a male with a foreign sounding accent has introduced himself as a Doctor stating that his wife had been in a car accident and required emergency surgery. However, the procedure she required was not covered under NHS budgets and he requested bank details to release the required funds.
His wife received a similar call, again appearing to come from her husband’s mobile phone number stating money was required urgently for medical care.Thankfully, neither victim has fallen for the scam however we have reports of this scam being repeated across the UK.
The perpetrators appear to be using sophisticated methods to link two mobile numbers together, in order to achieve the necessary impact, to fulfil their scam.
This incident has been distressing for the parties involved, but luckily no bank details were given out. Please make friends and relatives aware of this incident, especially the more vulnerable.
