Aberdeenshire Businessman Scammed Out of Five-Figure Sum

13th June 2025

An Aberdeenshire businessman has lost a five-figure sum to scammers in what is known as a ‘payment diversion fraud.'

Criminals hacked the victims accounts and then sent him false invoices for payment, pretending to be his accountant. When the victim queried one of the invoices with a genuine supplier he realised he had been scammed.

Payment Diversion Fraud (PDF) affects all types of businesses and individuals. However, due to the targeted nature of this fraud type, small and medium sized businesses, which often have less comprehensive IT security, are particularly vulnerable. Individuals purchasing houses and are involved in large financial transactions are also at risk.

Protect yourself against PDF

Have you been asked to urgently process a payment that is large or unusual?

Have you been asked to change the bank details of an existing supplier or to set up a new supplier?

Is the language used in the email inconsistent with that of the genuine sender?

If you have any doubt about the transaction then do not transfer the money. Protect yourself by double-checking the payment request via an additional method using details from another source (such as text message, phone call or in-person).

Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you'll let your guard down for just a moment. Stop and think. It could protect you and your money.

Contact your bank immediately if you think you've fallen for a scam and then call Police Scotland on 101.

This alert was issued by Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and Police Scotland