'I’ve never asked you for money': estranged son shocked by $4000 scam targeting his mother
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Scams that prey on families have become more sophisticated, leaving unsuspecting victims devastated and financially vulnerable.
What began as a simple attempt to reconnect between a mother and son soon turned into a nightmare that no one saw coming.
The details of this heartbreaking story reveal just how far fraudsters are willing to go to exploit emotions for financial gain.
A devastated mother and son found themselves victims of a scam after fraudsters took advantage of their strained relationship.
Danny Lee, 25, from Brisbane, recently reconnected with his mother after years of estrangement, only to learn that she had sent $4000 to a scammer, believing it was going to him.
The aspiring dancer said his mother had fallen for the ‘hey mum’ scam sweeping Australia, fuelled by her ‘desperation’ to reconnect with him.
In a chilling twist, the scammer went as far as to replicate Danny’s voice on the phone to convince his mother it was him.
This revelation came after a strained relationship, where misunderstandings and constant arguments had led to Danny leaving home at 18.
They had made a few attempts to rebuild their bond, but he hadn’t spoken to his mother since 2022.
The scam began when Danny received a message from his mum’s partner about the family cat, Ginger, who had been put down.
He rushed over to say his final goodbyes to the pet he had grown up with.
‘I saw my mum for the first time, I had a bit of a go at her,’ Danny explained. After the tension eased, his mother mentioned that she had sent him money.
Alarmed, Danny responded: ‘Mum I’ve never asked you for money’. She insisted it was for him, claiming she had even called him and spoken to his voice on the phone.
As Danny pieced it together, he realised the horrifying truth.
He wasn’t sure if the scammers used artificial intelligence to manipulate his voice or if it was simply because his mum hadn’t heard him speak in so long.
Either way, he knew that the scam had taken a devastating toll.
This type of scam has been around for several years, but this year, reports emerged of AI being used to impersonate victims’ children.
The ‘hey mum’ scam had already claimed 11,000 victims and a whopping $7.2 million in its first year.
By early 2024, the scam had become even more sophisticated, with fraudsters using AI to replicate voices.
In September through November, Scamwatch reported 931 incidents of the ‘hey mum’ scam, totalling $225,000 in losses.
Unfortunately, the cumulative amount lost since the scam's inception couldn’t be provided.
Danny has a significant following on social media, with over 127,000 followers due to his dance videos. He wonders if the scammers targeted him through his online presence.
After a recent work injury and job loss, he said the $4000 would have been a lifeline for both him and his mum.
He especially felt guilty for getting upset with his mother when she believed he had borrowed money.
In an attempt to recover their losses, Danny and his mother launched a GoFundMe campaign just before Christmas.
As they tried to rebuild their bond, the scammers continued to manipulate the situation. They coached his mother on how to send the money efficiently.
Fraudsters now send messages claiming their victims’ children have renewed their mobile plans, urging them to text a new number provided in the email.
Australians are urged to stay vigilant as the ‘hey mum’ or ‘hey dad’ scam becomes more complex.
In a previous story, another man lost $5000 after falling for a scammer’s one simple request. The details of his experience reveal how easily these fraudsters can manipulate their targets.
Curious to know more? Read the full story here.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a similar scam? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Stay informed and protect yourself from the latest scams with the SDC's Cybersecurity for Aussies Over 60 modules. Find out more here.
What began as a simple attempt to reconnect between a mother and son soon turned into a nightmare that no one saw coming.
The details of this heartbreaking story reveal just how far fraudsters are willing to go to exploit emotions for financial gain.
A devastated mother and son found themselves victims of a scam after fraudsters took advantage of their strained relationship.
Danny Lee, 25, from Brisbane, recently reconnected with his mother after years of estrangement, only to learn that she had sent $4000 to a scammer, believing it was going to him.
The aspiring dancer said his mother had fallen for the ‘hey mum’ scam sweeping Australia, fuelled by her ‘desperation’ to reconnect with him.
In a chilling twist, the scammer went as far as to replicate Danny’s voice on the phone to convince his mother it was him.
This revelation came after a strained relationship, where misunderstandings and constant arguments had led to Danny leaving home at 18.
They had made a few attempts to rebuild their bond, but he hadn’t spoken to his mother since 2022.
The scam began when Danny received a message from his mum’s partner about the family cat, Ginger, who had been put down.
He rushed over to say his final goodbyes to the pet he had grown up with.
‘I saw my mum for the first time, I had a bit of a go at her,’ Danny explained. After the tension eased, his mother mentioned that she had sent him money.
Alarmed, Danny responded: ‘Mum I’ve never asked you for money’. She insisted it was for him, claiming she had even called him and spoken to his voice on the phone.
As Danny pieced it together, he realised the horrifying truth.
He wasn’t sure if the scammers used artificial intelligence to manipulate his voice or if it was simply because his mum hadn’t heard him speak in so long.
Either way, he knew that the scam had taken a devastating toll.
This type of scam has been around for several years, but this year, reports emerged of AI being used to impersonate victims’ children.
The ‘hey mum’ scam had already claimed 11,000 victims and a whopping $7.2 million in its first year.
By early 2024, the scam had become even more sophisticated, with fraudsters using AI to replicate voices.
In September through November, Scamwatch reported 931 incidents of the ‘hey mum’ scam, totalling $225,000 in losses.
Unfortunately, the cumulative amount lost since the scam's inception couldn’t be provided.
Danny has a significant following on social media, with over 127,000 followers due to his dance videos. He wonders if the scammers targeted him through his online presence.
After a recent work injury and job loss, he said the $4000 would have been a lifeline for both him and his mum.
He especially felt guilty for getting upset with his mother when she believed he had borrowed money.
In an attempt to recover their losses, Danny and his mother launched a GoFundMe campaign just before Christmas.
As they tried to rebuild their bond, the scammers continued to manipulate the situation. They coached his mother on how to send the money efficiently.
Fraudsters now send messages claiming their victims’ children have renewed their mobile plans, urging them to text a new number provided in the email.
Australians are urged to stay vigilant as the ‘hey mum’ or ‘hey dad’ scam becomes more complex.
In a previous story, another man lost $5000 after falling for a scammer’s one simple request. The details of his experience reveal how easily these fraudsters can manipulate their targets.
Curious to know more? Read the full story here.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a similar scam? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Stay informed and protect yourself from the latest scams with the SDC's Cybersecurity for Aussies Over 60 modules. Find out more here.
