👋 "Hi Mum" WhatsApp Scam — The Complete Guide

Sunday, 02 August 2026

The "Hi Mum" WhatsApp scam is one of the most successful scams in the UK. It's simple, emotional, and it works: a parent gets a message that looks like it's from their child, claiming a lost phone and an emergency need for money.

Thousands of UK parents have been targeted — some have lost thousands of pounds. Here's how it works and how to make sure it never happens to your family.

How the scam works

  1. The message. You get a WhatsApp message from an unknown number: "Hi Mum, I've lost my phone and this is my new number. Can you save it?" Sometimes they name you directly.
  2. The story. Once you reply, the "child" claims an emergency: "My bank app isn't working / I'm stuck and need to pay a bill / my phone broke and I need a new one."
  3. The ask. They ask you to send money urgently — often a bank transfer to "a friend's account" because "mine is blocked".
  4. The pressure. They say they can't call (phone broken), they're embarrassed, and it's urgent — so you don't verify.

The criminals get the child's real name from social media, then run the same script on hundreds of numbers.

The messages to watch for

  • "Hi Mum, I've dropped my phone down the toilet / lost it — this is my new number"
  • "Can you pay my bill? I'll pay you back, my banking app isn't working"
  • "Don't call me, my phone is broken — just WhatsApp"
  • "It's urgent, please don't tell Dad" (isolating you)
  • "I need £300/£500 now for an emergency"

⚠️ The one rule that stops it: if anyone messages claiming to be family asking for money, call them on their real, saved number. If they say they can't talk — that's the scam. Real family will always verify.

Why it works

  • It's emotional — parents want to help their kids
  • It's vague — "my phone broke" explains why they can't call
  • It's urgent — pressure stops you thinking
  • The name is real — harvested from Facebook/Instagram

What to do if you get one

  1. Don't reply with personal details — don't confirm names or relationships
  2. Call your child on their real number — if they answer, it's a scam
  3. Ask a question only your child knows — if they can't answer, it's a scam
  4. Report the number — WhatsApp: block + report; then report to Action Fraud
  5. Forward scam messages to Action Fraud or report at actionfraud.police.uk

If you've already sent money

  1. Call your bank's fraud line immediately — bank transfers may be recoverable under APP fraud rules. See how to get your money back after a scam
  2. Report to Action Fraud — 0300 123 2040 — and get a crime reference number
  3. Tell your bank it was APP fraud (authorised push payment) — you may be entitled to a refund
  4. Check other family members — scammers often try siblings and grandparents next

Protect your family (10 minutes)

  • Agree a family code word — used in any emergency money request
  • Set privacy on social media — limit who can see your children's names and photos
  • Save your family's real numbers in contacts — so you can verify instantly
  • Talk to older relatives — grandparents are prime targets
  • Set up WhatsApp privacy — "Who can see my info" → My Contacts, and consider hiding your profile photo from strangers

Related guides

CyberAware UK — helping families report crime, recover from scams, and stay safe online.