Greg's Corner

Even Scam Experts Can Get Scammed

By Greg Collier

A recent report from The Guardian highlights how even those who are knowledgeable about scams can still fall victim. The subject of the report is a woman from the UK who has spent years warning others about online fraud, only to later find herself targeted in a sophisticated identity theft scheme.

Her journey began with an online presence built after serious health challenges, which she shared publicly to connect with others. This openness attracted the attention of a romance scammer who attempted to exploit her by using a fabricated story to create a sense of connection. Recognizing the signs, she ended contact and began using her social media platform to educate others about such tactics, especially a method known as trauma bonding, where scammers exploit a victim’s personal hardships to gain trust.

Over time, she gained thousands of followers and actively worked to track and expose fraudsters. Her growing public role in anti-scam advocacy made it seem unlikely that she would fall victim herself. However, she later received a letter, appearing to come from HMRC, requesting identification documents for a tax rebate. HMRC, short for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, is the UK’s equivalent to the Internal Revenue Service in the United States, responsible for collecting taxes and administering certain government programs. The letter was convincing enough that she sent the requested information.

It soon became clear that the letter was fraudulent. Criminals used her details to create a fake business in her name, which was likely involved in money laundering. Multiple fraudulent loan applications followed, damaging her credit score and leading to legal threats over debts she never incurred. Police were able to shut down the fake business, but her personal details were found to be for sale on the dark web. Stolen information is often traded in bulk on these underground marketplaces, where criminals purchase it to commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts, or conduct financial scams. Once data appears there, it can circulate for years, being reused by different groups for various schemes.

While she was able to prove she was the victim of fraud, preventing further financial loss, the incident demonstrates that experience and awareness do not make someone immune to scams. Even individuals who deal with scams on a regular basis can be caught off guard by convincing tactics and realistic forgeries.

Her decision to share her experience publicly was driven by the hope that it might prevent others from suffering the same fate. As her story shows, anyone can be targeted, and anyone can fall victim, regardless of how prepared or informed they believe themselves to be.