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Life

12th Feb 2016

Facebook Users Have Been Warned To Be Wary Of This Scam Doing The Rounds

Private messages from "friends" are catching people out.

Megan Cassidy

Police have warned against a scam doing the rounds on Facebook.

Private messages targeting users’ PayPal accounts have been circulating, causing authorities to warn people to be vigilant against the scams.

Accounts are being hacked and private messages then sent so that they may appear to come from a friend.

The private messages appear something like this:

“Hiya hun, is there any chance you have a PayPal account and can do me a small favour, will not cost you and will pay you..x

“I sold something online and need you to receive the payments then withdraw and bank transfer to me, will pay you xx.”

In Northern Ireland, a PSNI spokesman said: “They are notoriously very difficult to find where they originated from and when your PayPal or other account is hacked can be very costly.

“Please take care and never divulge your personal details online.”