Officials have shared new figures which show a scam message has cost victims more than £1.5m this year.

New data from Action Fraud, the UK's number one national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, shows the continued threat a convincing Whatsapp scam has, where criminals pose as a friend or family member in need.

The scam has been reported to Action Fraud 1,235 times between  February 3 and June 21 this year.

Criminals will claim to be a family member and will usually begin the conversation with 'hello mum' or 'hello dad.

They will say that they are texting from a new mobile number as their phone was lost or damaged and will go on to ask for money to purchase a new phone, or claim that they need money urgently to pay a bill.

The criminal will supply their bank details for payment, with some coming back on multiple occasions until the victim realises they’ve been scammed.

Action Fraud are warning people to remain vigilant and if a family member makes an unsual request always call the person to confirm.

Scam messages can be reported at report@phishing.gov.uk.