Reports of parents being targeted by scammers who pose as family members are on the rise in Hounslow, police have said.

In a tweet this morning Hounslow Police urged the local community to remain vigilant as yet more mums and dads fall victim to the cunning digital fraud scheme.

The so-called 'Mum and Dad' scam in which fraudsters pose as family members, particularly adult children, in order to ask for money can be hard to spot but typically looks like the WhatsApp conversation below shared with Brentford Nub News by a recent victim who had a lucky escape.

Once a believable conversation is underway and trust has been established, the scammer quickly messages with a favour to borrow money.

Key advice for anyone who reaches this stage of conversation with a fraudster is advised to contact their loved one on the original (and true) number.

Believing he is saving his adult son - who has a busy job - from unnecessary stress, this father proceeds with the scammer.

For the father in this case, a technical error when he tries to transfer money to the fraudster gives him enough time to pause and question the validity of the situation.

Hounslow Police has directed local residents to advice put together by Which? on how to handle the Mum and Dad scam should they find themselves in it, and requested we spread the word to help family and friends from falling victim.