That message from a family member could be a criminal in disguise.

Friends and family impersonation scams happen when criminals pretend to be someone you know and trust, often contacting you through WhatsApp, text message or phone calls asking for urgent financial help.

Our Stay Scam Safe series exists to give customers the tools to spot these tactics early, so criminals can’t take advantage of the trust shared between loved ones.

Here’s how to spot the warning signs to make sure you don’t send money to someone who isn’t who they claim to be.

“These scams work because they target our instinct to help the people we love. A message from a ‘child’ or ‘parent’ in trouble, or a call from a familiar-sounding voice, can override our better judgement in the moment. Taking a few seconds to verify who you’re really speaking to can make all the difference.”

– Zaheer Jassat – VP Product

Friends and family impersonation scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In addition to sending texts or emails, fraudsters are also now using AI-generated voices and fake phone calls to imitate family members, friends or trusted organisations.

A common tactic is pretending to be a child or relative texting from a “new number,” claiming they’re in trouble, stranded, or unable to access their bank account and urgently need money transferred. Criminals count on the emotional shock of the message to stop you asking too many questions. Remember never to send money to somebody you don’t know or haven’t verified, especially when put under time pressure to do so. Never download any payment apps, such as Sendwave and Worldremit under pressure from someone, this could be a clear indicator of a scam attempt. 

What to watch out for

Impersonation scams can be difficult to spot in the moment, but a few tell-tale clues tend to give them away. Watch out for:

  • An unexpected message or call from a “new number” claiming to belong to a friend or family member
  • Requests for money that come with pressure to act immediately or in secret
  • A story involving being stranded, in an accident, arrested, or locked out of a bank account
  • Reluctance or excuses if you ask to speak on the phone or via video call
  • Voice calls that sound slightly off in tone, pacing or background noise, particularly if AI voice cloning is suspected
  • Requests to keep the situation from other family members

How to keep safe

A few simple habits can help protect you and the people you love:

  • Always check who you’re sending money to and that any request is genuine. You can do this by contacting the person through a method you would normally use and trust.
  • Agree a family “safe word” or question that only the real person would know.
  • Be especially cautious of any requests with a time pressure to transfer money urgently, particularly to a new or unfamiliar account
  • Never let someone gain remote access to your computer or phone if they’ve contacted you out of the blue
  • Check your privacy settings and limit what you share online as criminals can use these details to make their stories more convincing

If in doubt, put the phone down or step away from the conversation. A genuine friend or family member will understand if you take a moment to check.

We’re here to help

Customer safety is a top priority for us across both Sendwave and WorldRemit. If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam, or spot anything unusual on your account, get in touch with us through our official support channels straight away. The earlier we know about it, the sooner we can look into it, helping to protect you and others from fraud.

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