Business · 23 August 2026
Homebuyers warned about rising "Friday afternoon fraud" bank scams
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Email scams, also known as "Friday afternoon fraud", trick homebuyers into sending deposit money to criminals instead of their solicitors. Report Fraud, a scam reporting body, noted 140 property cases, where victims typically lost £78,393, from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. City of London police say the fraud also affects renters and probate transactions, not just purchases.
Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs