A family in Midlothian has been left devastated after falling victim to a heartless phone scam, resulting in the loss of their entire life savings. Laura and Stuart Young, residents of Bonnyrigg, are now faced with the arduous task of rebuilding their lives after being scammed out of approximately £40,200. The couple, who had diligently saved this money for their three-year-old son’s future, shared their harrowing experience with Edinburgh Live, recounting the moment they realized their hard-earned savings had been maliciously snatched away.
The distressing ordeal began when Stuart received an email from what appeared to be a legitimate delivery company. The email informed him that a package was awaiting delivery and required a small £1 fee. With the holiday season approaching, Stuart saw nothing suspicious about the request and promptly filled out the accompanying form. Little did he know, this seemingly innocuous action would set off a chain of events that would leave his family devastated.
Shortly after submitting the form, Stuart received a phone call from an individual with an English accent, who claimed to be from his bank. The caller informed him that his bank accounts were being hacked and that all linked accounts were compromised. Alarmingly, this fraudulent caller managed to keep Stuart on the phone for an astonishing eight hours, with three different individuals taking turns to speak with him. Despite their reassuring professionalism, Stuart, who was exhausted from caring for his sick child, gradually became more confused and disoriented during the conversation, which lasted until 1 am.
Tragically, the scammers convinced Stuart that the only way to safeguard his funds was by transferring all his money into a separate account. Unbeknownst to him, this was the start of a devastating financial loss that would impact the family profoundly. Stuart, a self-employed stone mason, revealed that the money taken included not only their life savings but also funds set aside for taxes. It was only when the scammers attempted to coerce Stuart into taking out a loan that he became suspicious and informed them he needed to consult his bank. As soon as he mentioned contacting the bank, the scammers abruptly hung up, and the truth finally dawned on Stuart.
The emotional toll of their loss has been significant, taking a severe toll on the couple’s mental health. Laura has been forced to take time off work due to the distress, while Stuart admitted to experiencing regular bouts of grief and tears. Seeking justice and hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of such scams, the couple reported the incident to the police and shared their story with the public. Laura expressed her concern and desire to prevent others from falling victim to similar scams, describing their experience as horrendous and feeling violated by the socially engineered nature of the scam.
To assist the Young family in their journey toward recovery, Laura’s brother Gordon established a GoFundMe page. The campaign aims to rally support from the community and help the family rebuild their lives and financial stability. As news of their story spreads, many have expressed their sympathies and contributed to the fundraiser, demonstrating the power of a united community in times of crisis.
Police Scotland confirmed that they are currently investigating the banking fraud incident in the Bonnyrigg area. It serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and cautious when sharing personal and financial information, especially in the face of sophisticated scams designed to exploit innocent individuals. The battle to rebuild and regain what was lost continues for the Young family, who hope that their story will serve as a cautionary tale for others, ultimately preventing similar heartbreak from befalling anyone else.
