Spain police warn parents over WhatsApp scam that uses their children’s real accounts

A WhatsApp message from your son or daughter requesting money might not be real, even if it is from their regular number. Spain’s National Police have alerted families about a highly convincing scam in which criminals masquerade as children to trick parents into wiring hundreds of euros.

The new scam is a version of the well-known hijo en apuros or child in trouble scam that has been circulating in Spain for years. This time, scammers are using a blocked bank account and unpaid laptop to trick parents into sending money.

The trick is especially devious since the fake message can seem to be from the child’s real WhatsApp account. It’s not from a new number.

According to the Policia Nacional, criminals are taking advantage of parents’ natural tendency to help their children, especially when the need seems urgent and a friend asks for help.

How the WhatsApp scam works

The scam starts with a WhatsApp message from a son or daughter, who tells you that they have bought a laptop online and would like to pay by cash on delivery.

The computer is supposedly there. But they have a problem. They are unable to pay the seller because their bank account is temporarily closed. The sender asks their parent to cover the payment. They will then transfer the money back to them tomorrow after access to the bank account has been restored.

The message may sound like a familial favor, especially if it is received in the midst of a WhatsApp conversation with a familiar contact.

However, the person asking for money is not necessarily the child at all.

Police are warning that crooks can take over someone’s WhatsApp and use it to impersonate them when communicating with family members.

Unlike scams involving messages from unknown numbers, this version can be more persuasive because the request appears to come from an account the recipient already recognises.

The amount can also be substantial. A laptop can easily cost €400 or €500, and even more than that. A parent who responds to the ad without first checking out might end up losing hundreds of euros.

Criminals are relying on a basic response. When a child is in trouble, most parents will want to solve the problem as soon as possible. And because the supposed problem is temporary, with repayment promised the next day, the request may not immediately raise suspicions.

Spain’s National Police explain how to spot the warning signs

The Policia Nacional is asking people to be wary of sending money, even if it is someone they are close to. The most important precaution is to verify the story through another means of communication.

If you receive a WhatsApp message from your son or daughter asking for a surprise payment, you should always reach out to them before doing anything else.

If they are at home, call them and ask them if they sent the message. Call their usual number and ask if the message was actually sent.

This simple step can expose a fraud, especially since the person who owns the account might not even be aware that someone else has their WhatsApp account.

Another warning sign is a request to transfer money to an unfamiliar bank account. Even if the explanation sounds reasonable, police warn people to check out before donating.

A frozen bank account, a need to buy something, and the promise of a refund tomorrow may all seem plausible at first, but they can be part of shrewd scheme.

The fact that you receive a message from someone you know on WhatsApp is not in itself evidence that it is the person you know who is sending it.

What to do if you receive a suspicious WhatsApp message

First thing is to avoid any transfer until the request has been independently verified.

If the letter turns out to be a fraud, it’s also important to alert your other family members and friends.

The police warning suggests that criminals who access a victim’s WhatsApp account may make several contacts with people the victim is connected with, in the hope that one of them will agree to transfer funds.

Alerting family members quickly could therefore prevent others from falling for the same deception.

If you’ve already transferred funds, contact your bank immediately and report the fraud to them. Ask them if you can reverse the transaction or get your money back. Also, contact the police.

People in Spain can also get help with cybersecurity through the National Cybersecurity Institute, INCIBE, which offers a free 017 helpline.

Police are reminding the public that it is wise to have a conversation with the person asking for money in a WhatsApp message before sending them money. A quick phone call could be enough to prevent a costly mistake.