Glastonbury residents are being urged to stay vigilant after a scammer used a fake Facebook profile of the late Alan Gloak, a well-respected local politician who passed away last year in a particularly badly researched attempt to deceive unsuspecting locals.

The scam, which promises large cash winnings, highlights the need for community awareness and caution.

Unfortunately, one of the people the scammer targeted was a local journalist.

Here's how the conversation went:

Alan Gloak ii: Hello 👋 how are you doing...

Journalist: I'm good. Very surprised to hear from you though!

Alan Gloak ii: I'm doing great and blessed, do you read the message I sent to you about the money I won?

Journalist: No! How did that happen?!

Alan Gloak ii: I thought you have heard about it because I got £150,000 cash from the (PCH) Publishers Clearing House who help the hearing, deaf, disabled, retired, and some Facebook users, and I saw your name among the winner list when I was signing for the FedEx man, that's why I'm wondering if you have gotten yours?

Journalist: That's so weird. I don't remember entering?

Alan Gloak ii: [Link to fake profile] That is the online claiming agent in charge of the program. Just click on the link and send him a text message. You are here to claim your winning money.

Journalist: There's no way he'll just believe me. Anyone could say that.

Alan Gloak ii: Just try to contact the agent now and get back to me so I can guide you through.

Journalist: Just sounds really dodgy, you know?

Alan Gloak ii: I know.

Journalist: And you've just messaged a journalist using a fake account from a well-known local politician whose death I covered pretty extensively.

The attempted fraud has been reported to Facebook for investigation.

This scheme operates by convincing recipients that they have won a significant sum of money, then instructing them to contact a supposed agent to claim their prize. The use of a deceased local politician's profile adds a deceptive layer of legitimacy, making the ruse particularly insidious.

A police spokesperson said: "We urge residents to be extremely cautious when receiving unsolicited messages online, especially those claiming financial gain. Scammers often use sophisticated techniques to make their claims seem legitimate, but it is important to verify the authenticity of any such messages. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Report any suspicious activity immediately."

Fraud Protect Officer Amy Horrobin explains: "A fraud can happen to anyone at any time. It can happen when we're busy and rushing, when we're stressed or preoccupied, or when we're at our most vulnerable and feeling tired or lonely. Scammers know there are times when we all let our guard down and sadly, that's when we are more likely to become a victim of fraud, or vulnerable to being deceived."

She adds, "It's time to re-write what a victim of fraud looks like and recognise that anyone can be a victim. People often think they would intuitively know if someone was trying to scam them. However, these criminals are very clever, and their tactics are constantly evolving so they could easily catch any of us off our guard."

In 2023, the average age of victims of fraud in Avon and Somerset was 47 years old, with the most recorded fraud cases occurring in the 18-39 age category. Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, received reports from 8,188 victims in the area last year. However, Amy explains this is unlikely to be the true figure. "This crime often goes under-reported because people may not be certain if what they have experienced is a crime or be embarrassed to admit they have been a victim. In addition, where victims of fraud are reimbursed by their banks, they often do not report fraud to Action Fraud or police."

She continues, "However, if a fraud has been committed against you, we want to reassure you that it is likely that someone else has experienced the same. We need people to report – the more individual reports we receive, the better the chances of fraudsters being arrested, charged, and convicted."

How to Protect Yourself from Scams

1. Verify Profiles: Always double-check profiles that contact you with unusual claims. Look for inconsistencies or recent changes.
2. Be Skeptical: Treat unsolicited messages claiming you've won money or prizes with suspicion, especially if you don't recall entering any competition.
3. Avoid Clicking Links: Never click on links from suspicious messages. These links can lead to phishing sites designed to steal your personal information.
4. Report and Block: If you suspect a scam, report the profile to Facebook and block the user to prevent further contact.
5. Consult Trusted Sources: Before taking any action, discuss the message with trusted friends or family to verify its authenticity.