In January, the PSP received 260 reports of the “Hello father, hello mother” scam, which takes place by written message, mainly via the WhatsApp application, and recorded more than 360 crimes of computer and communications fraud.
The data is contained in a statement released today by the PSP, in connection with the “Safer Internet” prevention operation, which runs until the 9th and aims to warn of some of the risks associated with the use of new technologies.
The note shows an increase in these crimes in recent years, especially since the pandemic, indicating that in 2023 the PSP recorded 12,238 crimes of computer and communications fraud, 10% more than in the previous year, and arrested 32 suspects.
In the year before the pandemic (2019), 6,758 crimes of this kind were recorded and two suspects were arrested, a figure that skyrocketed to 8,760 (+29%) in 2020, when four suspects were arrested.
According to the data released today, last year 434 perpetrators of this type of crime were identified and 32 suspects arrested.
With regard to the “Hello father, hello mother” scam, which takes place via written messages on communication apps (mostly WhatsApp), the PSP says that last year 4,389 complaints were registered and in the first month of this year there were 260 (provisional data).
The PSP points out that although the elderly continue to be the main victims of various types of scams, in recent years these crimes have affected other types of victims.
In the note, the PSP warns that cases of the “Hello father, hello mother” scam have been on the increase and explains that the best way to be sure is to call the number from which the message originated, since the scammers don’t answer and end up opting only for communication via written messages.
In order to commit this crime, through a written message, mostly via WhatsApp, sent from an identifiable contact number, the suspects present themselves as a close relative (child) of the potential victim, arguing that the cell phone has broken down or has been lost, that the telephone contact becomes the one they are using until they buy new equipment and ask for money (via bank transfer or sending by app) for this purchase, or repair, considering it urgent.
Usually, the PSP recalls, they use a photograph of the victim’s relative to make themselves look credible.
Records of this scam occur “all over Portugal, with a special incidence in urban areas with a higher population density”, says the PSP, which stresses the importance of detecting scams through telephone contact.
When the victim tries to make contact by voice call, it is not answered and a written message is sent with a justification and encouraging contact by written message only.
The PSP also advises anyone who receives this type of contact to always call the original number of the relative in question to confirm the information and report the attempted scam to the authorities.
It recommends that no transfers be made and that these scam attempts be detected with simple questions that the family member knows how to answer, such as their birthdays, the course and university they attend or have attended, or the license plate number of the family car.
