Some victims of scammers contemplated suicide(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Scammers target most vulnerable with two thirds of victims struggling with mental health

A shocking survey of one hundred fraud cases has shown that most scam victms being fleeced of thousands of pounds suffer from mental or physical disabilities and long-term illnesses

by · The Mirror

The most vulnerable ­people in society are being hit hardest by scammers, a survey warns.

An analysis of 100 fraud cases revealed that 74% had a mental health condition. And 22% had a severe long-term illness, while 20% had a physical disability.

Study authors National Fraud Helpline want government, banks and tech firms to do more to protect people. Martin Richardson, senior partner at Manchester solicitors Richardson Hartley Law, which runs the helpline, said: “These shocking results show that the most vulnerable in society are being failed.”

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Many victims felt shamed and embarrassed( Image: Getty Images)

Out of the 100 surveyed, 30 were scammed after a sudden drop in income, 23 after a ­relationship breakdown and 16 after a bereavement. Nearly half (47) described themselves as emotionally vulnerable, 41 had low savings and 36 were in debt.

Many of those interviewed said that being duped had left them with severe depression and some had said that they contemplated suicide as a result of falling victim to fraud. The three most common emotions described by the victims were ‘shame’, ‘anger’, and ‘upset’. On average, they lost £15,095 each through a variety of frauds from romance and crypto scams to rental and investment cons. One person lost £140,000.

Scammers are targeting the most vulnerable( Image: Getty Images)

Twenty-three said English was their second language while 15 were carers. Mr Richardson added: “Scammers tend to be most successful at conning people already suffering, be it emotionally or financially. As technology grows so will scams. There needs to be more joined up thinking to protect people.”

National Fraud helpline not only helps to recover money lost to scams but also aims to educate the public with warnings of the latest frauds which are highlighted on its website. The law firm has also joined forces with UK AI firm, Time Machine Capital Limited, to create anti-fraud technology.