O2 UK Warns of New Scam Texts as Network Blocks 600 Million Messages

Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today revealed that they’ve blocked more than 600 million scam text messages from reaching their customers phones so far in 2025 (more than double the number in 2023 and 2024 combined). But the operator warns that they’ve seen a “significant rise” in gambling, recruitment and car finance scam texts.

The telecoms provider has analysed messages reported and blocked throughout the month of August and identified that the “most commonly reported messages” right now are gambling or fake prize scams (i.e. where fraudsters offer free ‘credit’ on gambling sites, ‘prizes’ or ‘rewards’ with a link to an unsafe website).

The second most common tactic currently being used is the “Hi Mum / Hi Dad” scam, where criminals pretend to be a child reaching out to their parent in distress on a new phone number before asking them to transfer money (there’s also a disturbing AI version of this that works by cloning the voice of a known family member).

Third on the list is fake parking fines – where scammers threaten significant fines or for people’s ‘license to be revoked’ if they do not visit a suspicious website and make an immediate payment. Also on the rise are recruitment scams where fraudsters say they’re hiring for lucrative positions which don’t exist, and car finance scams in which victims are told they are entitled to compensation.

Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at VMO2, said:

“Scammers aren’t sticking to old tricks; they’re evolving fast, tapping into trending news and targeting vulnerable people with fake prizes, job offers and financial compensation schemes.

we’re reminding people to remain vigilant; always be careful when you receive a call or text out of the blue, don’t share personal details with anyone, and report suspicious messages [and calls] for free to 7726.”

Customer with certain devices, including newer iPhones, can also use the “report junk” tool, which should appear at the bottom of messages from people not in their contacts.

TOP FIVE SCAM TRENDS – AUGUST 2025

1. Gambling / fake prize scams

EXAMPLES:

Your account is now loaded with GBP500 plus 150 FreeSpins Redeem and play today at: <website removed>

Congratulations! You’ve received a summer gift! Expires tomorrow. Open it <website removed>

2. Hi Mum/Hi Dad

EXAMPLES:

Hey mum save my new number

Hi Dad, did you get this?

3. Fake parking fines

EXAMPLE:

“Parking Charge Notice (PCN): The record shows that you have unpaid parking fines. The deadline for paying the parking fines is August 26, 2025. If you fail to pay the fine on time, you may be subject to additional fines and interest, and your credit record may also be affected. After reading this information, please enter your vehicle registration number in the link below (the information query is free) to view and pay the parking fines. <fake website removed>

Please complete the payment immediately to avoid having your license revoked and to prevent triggering more legal disputes. Thank you again for your cooperation.

4. Recruitment scams

EXAMPLE:

Hello, my name is Grace Mitchell, and I am the Human Resources Manager at Serviceplan Group.

We have reviewed your profile on several online recruitment platforms. Currently, we are offering a flexible part-time position that you can complete during your spare time.

The main task involves optimising software to improve its ranking, increase its visibility, and make the products we optimise more well-known and recognised.

This is a very simple task that can be learned in 10 to 30 minutes, and we provide free training to help you get started quickly.

The daily income ranges from £80 to £300, with payment made immediately upon completion of the data optimisation.

If you would like to join us, please contact us via <Whatsapp link> (Reply 1 and re-open this message to click the link, or copy it to your browser) (Please note that applicants must be at least 25 years old to be eligible for this position.)

5. Car Finance mis-sold

EXAMPLE:

Our records indicate you could be owed up to £2,382.58 in mis-sold car finance. Check for free: <FREE SITE> EXIT=88440