By Duncan Paul Glasgow
It was a cool and fresh afternoon in Glasgow when I met an old friend from the East End. We hadn’t had a proper catch-up in years, so we grabbed a tea and started chatting. That’s when he shared something that really shocked me – his little brother had been scammed out of two thousand pounds.
It all started with a slick-looking email about some can’t-miss investment opportunity. The site looked legit. The pitch was polished. Next thing he knew, his account was cleared out. Just like that.
Sadly, his story isn’t the only one. I’ve been hearing more and more like it lately. From Dennistoun to the City Centre, people all over Glasgow are getting scammed. That’s why I keep speaking up about it — the more we talk, the better chance we have to stop it from happening again these types of online Scams in Glasgow.
Where Scammers Are Striking in Glasgow
Now, let’s be honest, scams can happen to anyone, anywhere. But some parts of the city seem to be getting hit harder than others.
1. East End (Dennistoun, Shettleston)
The East End’s been seeing a spike in dodgy emails, fake job ads, and those classic “double-your-money” schemes. Scammers know people here are working hard and might be looking for ways to get ahead, which makes them a target.
2. South Side (Pollokshaws, Dumbreck)
Even in more well-off areas, folk aren’t immune. Some of these neighbourhoods get lumped in with “deprived” zones in reports, so they miss out on proper support. That gap gives fraudsters room to work.
3. City Centre
With tourists everywhere and folk coming and going, the City Centre’s perfect cover for scams. Fake Airbnb listings, Fake concert tickets, dodgy charity collectors, if it looks busy and chaotic, you can bet someone’s trying to take advantage.
Why Are These Areas So Vulnerable?
A few reasons, really:
- Not everyone knows the signs.
A lot of people aren’t used to spotting scams online. One smart-looking email or advert can fool just about anyone, especially if no one’s ever shown them what to watch out for. - Money’s tight these days.
Let’s be honest, prices are going up everywhere. When people are struggling to make ends meet, anything that offers quick cash sounds tempting. That’s exactly when scammers strike. - Help isn’t always there.
Some parts of Glasgow don’t have enough local support or info about these scams. If you don’t know what to look for, it’s easy to get caught before you even realise what’s happening.
A Sharp Rise in Online Scams
Here’s a fact that might make you feel a bit sick: fraud in Glasgow has gone up by 144% since 2014. And now, more than half of it happens online.
And this year alone, and the year’s not even over yet,. There have already been more than 1,300 reports of online scams in the city. It’s getting worse. Scammers keep changing how they do it, and they’re getting better at tricking people.
But we don’t have to just sit back and let it happen.
Five Ways to Keep Yourself Safe
- Think before clicking.
Got an email out the blue? Don’t rush. Check the sender. Look for dodgy spelling. Don’t click links unless you’re 100% sure. - If it sounds amazing, it’s probably a scam.
Scammers love offering big rewards. Take a breath, do a quick Google, and ask around. A minute’s research could save you a fortune. - Keep your info private.
Never give out your bank details or passwords, especially not over email or text. Real companies won’t ask for stuff like that. - Report what you see.
Forward dodgy texts to 7726. Report phishing emails. The more people speak up, the harder it is for scammers to keep getting away with it. - Stay in the loop.
Follow Police Scotland, Action Fraud, and sites like ScamFreeWorld. Knowing what’s going around helps you (and your pals) avoid it.
How to Report an Online Scam in the UK
Reporting scams helps protect not just you, but everyone in your community. Here’s how you can take action:
Text Message Scams
Forward dodgy texts to 7726 (that’s “SPAM” on your keypad). It’s free, and helps your provider block similar messages in future.
Scam Emails
Send suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk — this goes straight to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Online Adverts, Fake Shops, and Investment Scams
Report these to Action Fraud, the UK’s national centre for fraud reporting.
🔗 www.actionfraud.police.uk
📞 0300 123 2040 (open weekdays)
Banking and Payment Fraud
If you’ve sent money or shared financial details, call your bank immediately. They can freeze accounts or stop further losses.
Social Media Scams
Report posts or profiles directly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter). They all have built-in tools for flagging suspicious activity.
Contact Local Trading Standards
If the scam involves goods, services, or cold callers, report it through your council’s Trading Standards team.
Before You Go
My friend’s brother isn’t the first to get scammed, and sadly, he won’t be the last. But if we stay sharp, share stories, and watch out for each other, we can turn the tide.
Ask questions. Slow down. And if something feels off? Trust your gut.
We can’t stop every scam overnight, but one person not falling for it is already a win. That’s how we make Glasgow safer, one smart decision at a time.
About Me
I’m Duncan Paul Glasgow, a proud Glaswegian and contributor to ScamFreeWorld. I write about real scams happening in our city, because I’ve seen too many good folk get caught out. My goal? Keep it honest, local, and helpful. If it helps even one person avoid a scam, it’s worth it.
Read more blogs – https://scamfreeworld.com/duncan-paul-glasgow-one-of-glasgows-voices-against-scams/