I asked a simple question that saved me from WhatsApp banking scam

A BLOKE has revealed a simple but effective way to fool WhatsApp scammers after he was almost killed.

Michael Griffiths received a cunning text message claiming to be from his stepdaughter Sophie asking for money.

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The scammer tried the usual ruse, showing they were a loved one unable to access their regular phone while imploringly begging for £989 to be sent to them.

But the wise father did not have that.

“I’d like a favor, I’m trying to get my banking app on this old phone but it’s not working and it’s a bit stressful because I have to pay a bill,” the fake Sophie begged.

He became suspicious after asking a series of questions.

First, the scammer gave outlandish excuses for not wanting to call Sophie’s mother the old-fashioned way, saying the phone she was using was “really old” and that they “couldn’t ring”. .

As things progressed, Michael deals a blow by saying he can really only deposit £400 at a time due to bank limits.

He also said they didn’t have £989 in their account.

So the scammer tries to increase the pressure.

“How much can you transfer at the moment?” asked the impostor.

“It has to be paid within 30 minutes. We can’t be late, you can transfer it.”

With Michael’s suspicions now high, he asks a genius question that leaves crooks with no choice.

“What’s your middle name Soph?” he says.

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When the scammer asked why, he added: “So I know it’s you Soph.”

With no way out, the messages suddenly stopped.

His stepson, Jordon Parker, from Port Ellesmere, Cheshire, decided to reveal the chat on social media to warn others.

He told Echoes of Liverpool his stepdaughter thinks it’s his sister because it seems “reliable” at first.

“It all adds up because that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

In other news, a new space station for Tom Cruise for filming caused the jaws to fall out for all the wrong reasons.

Scientists have pinpointed when they believe The sun will explode and wipe out everything on Earth in the process.

And Apple is work to fix because of a recently discovered bug that potentially exposes personal data of iPhone users.

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