In France, a father was deceived by scammers who impersonated his daughter through fake emails. The criminals managed to convince him to transfer thousands of euros into their accounts by imitating his daughter’s communication style and language.
How Did the Scam Happen?
The victim, Francoise Schorosch, explained that the scammers closely mimicked her daughter’s manner of speaking and writing. It is believed that they gained access to the email exchanges regarding her daughter’s house purchase. Using this information, the fraudsters replicated the personal conversations between the father and daughter to build trust.
The scammers transferred the money from Deutsche Bank to Nationwide Bank. Unfortunately, Nationwide Bank did not offer any assistance in reversing the transaction or compensating the victim. Bank officials stated that the victim must contact Deutsche Bank for any resolution.
“We have yet to receive a response from Deutsche Bank,” Nationwide Bank representatives said.
Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank has refused to comment, citing German banking privacy laws.
Schorosch noted that her father is still deeply upset by the scam, having believed his daughter genuinely needed financial help. As a retiree, this scam has significantly impacted his finances.
What is the “Hi Dad” Scam, and How Can You Protect Yourself?
This type of scam is part of a growing trend known as the “Hi Dad” or “Hi Mom” scam. Scammers exploit personal information to impersonate a close relative and gain the victim’s trust. Once they’ve built credibility, they claim to have an urgent financial need and ask for a money transfer.
This incident highlights the critical importance of online security. Using strong passwords for email accounts and being cautious of messages from unknown senders is essential. In cases where money transfers are requested, taking a moment to verify the request with the sender directly can help prevent fraud. Contacting the bank immediately in suspicious situations is another key step to avoid financial loss.
This unfortunate case also underscores the risk of sharing personal information online, which can easily fall into the wrong hands. Protecting your personal data is crucial to avoiding scams, and increasing digital awareness is one of the most effective ways to combat these kinds of fraudulent activities.
online security, digital awareness, Hi Dad scam, financial fraud, personal data protection
