Thu, 17 Apr 2025

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 'Scammers used fake app to steal from me in person'

Fake bank apps mimic legitimate mobile banking platforms, allowing fraudsters walk away with high-value items.

*About 500 reports of crimes involving fake banking apps have been made to Action Fraud in the past three years.
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*Victim Anthony Rudd lost £1,000 worth of tools after being scammed by a fake banking app
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*Dr Tim Day, lead in doorstep crime and scams for the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), described the apps as an "emerging threat"
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*Google removed some versions of the apps from its Play store but BBC West Investigations found they were still available to download elsewhere online
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*The scam works by the seller being shown a fake payment notification, allowing the thief to leave with goods while keeping the money for themselves
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*Two victims reported that no further action was taken after reporting the incidents to the police
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*A government spokesperson said they are taking "ambitious steps to tackle the evolving threat of fraud" and plans to strengthen international cooperation and introduce better protections against AI-enabled fraud
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