Action Fraud

A 32-year-old UK resident helped his elderly neighbor after the neighbor fell victim to a Microsoft refund scam and spent all his money on an online relationship. The neighbor, in his late 70s, met a 32-year-old American teacher online without direct communication, leading to financial and emotional exploitation. The resident contacted authorities and neighbors to assist, but the neighbor now appears isolated.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) warned the public about scammers spoofing its switchboard number to impersonate police and solicit gift cards and bank details. A separate case involved an elderly woman defrauded of over £250,000 through a cryptocurrency scam involving malware.