Police warn young people over scam

POLICE are warning young people to be on their guard over a social media scam.

- 

Teenagers and students are being targeted on social media with so called 'lucrative' opportunities to get rich quick, which are actually very likely to make them lose money quick.

Cheshire Constabulary's Economic Crime Unit are aware of reports from teenagers who have been conned out of hundreds of pounds or tricked into 'money muling' - laundering criminal funds through their own bank accounts - on the promise of easy money.

The scammers place 'job adverts' on social media, generally on TikTok, to make initial contact with victims before they are invited into a WhatsApp chat.

They provide their bank details and are paid a small amount, normally £5, for liking an online video before the conversation moves to messaging service Telegram. They are then given 'jobs' as either traders or cashiers.