"It's me, I've got a new number": the family impersonation scam

The classic scenario

You receive a WhatsApp message from an unknown number: "Hey mum, it's me, I broke my phone, here's my new number". A few messages later, an emergency: "I need to pay for something right now, can you send me €400? I'll pay you back tonight." The money leaves… toward a scammer.

This scam, also known as the "hi mum scam" or the fake son scam, has exploded since 2022. Scammers grab numbers at random or through data leaks, then send the same message to thousands of people. It only takes one parent in a hundred to believe it to make their day profitable.

The trap's strength lies in two things: parental love, which pushes people to act quickly, and the absence of a voice. As long as the conversation stays written, the scammer can impersonate anyone. As soon as a real call is needed, the trap collapses — which is why they will always refuse to call.

The right moves

1. Call your relative on their old number. Always. Before anything else.
2. Ask a question only they would know the answer to (a specific memory, a family nickname).
3. Don't send any money until you've heard a real voice on the phone.
4. If you've already paid: notify your bank immediately, the transfer can sometimes be stopped.
5. Warn your parents and grandparents: they are the main targets.