Hertfordshire Constabulary is warning residents to be wary of WhatsApp messages which appear to be from relatives asking for money to be sent to them.

Action Fraud has issued warnings about the 'friend in need scam', where people have received messages claiming to be from a relative or friend. The messages claim that someone they know, often their children, needs urgent financial assistance.

Detective Inspector Pete Hankins, from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: "It's not difficult to pose as someone else on WhatsApp, people are not always who they claim to be. 

"If you get a message from a number you do not recognise, claiming to be someone you know and asking for money or personal information, it is best to pause and check that they are who they claim to be. We advise asking them to call you or meet you in person before acting on their request."

If you believe that you are a victim of fraud please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report. If a fraud is in progress or someone's life is in danger, call 999 immediately.