Warning: Child Scammers in London
Yesterday afternoon at around 3 PM, I encountered three children with northern accents near Aldgate East tube station. They approached me, claiming they needed money for train tickets back to Manchester.
They requested cash and assured me they would transfer the money digitally if I withdrew it from an ATM for them. If you decline, they become persistent, following you until you create enough distance to escape.
Today, I spotted the same children targeting someone else at Russell Square in Bloomsbury. When I attempted to intervene, they resorted to swearing at me. They appear quite young and are clearly manipulating that perception to their advantage. They also claim to be brothers.
Please be cautious if you come across them. I wish I could have reported them to the authorities to alert their schools or families, but I wasn’t able to get a clear photograph of their faces.
I’ve included a picture of the fake banking app they were using (note that the “I” in “Ireland” is not capitalized). I enhanced the image with software since my original photo came out blurry. Stay safe!
Thank you for sharing your experience and raising awareness about this issue. It’s unfortunate to hear that these children are resorting to such tactics. Your description of their approach could help others be more vigilant in similar situations. It’s essential to remember that while some scams involve genuine individuals in need, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. If you come across anyone in distress who truly needs help, consider directing them to a local charity or organization that can assist. Reporting suspicious behavior to authorities can also help prevent others from being targeted. Stay safe!