Alternatively, those targeted by the scam can reach out to Action Fraud, the UK’s scam watchdog, to report their case.

Superintendent Sanjay Andersen, the head of the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, warned that social media exposes people to the constant threat of fraudsters.

The scam expert explained: “Criminals hack people’s email and social media accounts to access a wealth of valuable personal information about the individual, which they can use to commit fraud.

“This includes passwords for other accounts like online banking. Criminals also use compromised accounts to imitate the victim online and trick their family and friends into sending money.”