Major bank fraud hits Golf Club

Hull Golf Club in Yorkshire has become the victim of what is thought to be, financially, the biggest bank fraud to have hit the golf industry ever.

The club has had nearly £300,000 stolen by fraudsters and a spokesman has admitted the club is unlikely to get most of it back.

According to the Hull Daily Mail, the scam took place at the end of May. The police have been called in, an investigation has been launched by Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, and the club’s members have been notified. Much of the money came from their £1,000-a-year subscription fees.

In a letter to members, club chairman John Jackson says “with profound regret” he has to report that “a sum approaching £300,000 was removed from the club’s bank account.”

He goes on to say “a partial although small” amount of money may be recovered, but it is likely the “scam fraudsters” will escape with the bulk of the cash.

John McDowell, managing director of Encription, a digital security company, said: “Sports clubs make ideal targets. It sounds as though this was a targeted attack, and I say that because most large organisations have already been attacked, and so have taken the necessary precautions to protect themselves.

“They are therefore much, much harder to hit, and it has forced hackers to go for the low-lying fruit, as it were – the golf clubs and small businesses. The biggest weakness is people. People like to be helpful and scammers exploit that.

“They will phone businesses, as well as individuals, saying they’re from the bank and could they have account numbers and passwords.”

In a statement, Hull Golf Club said: “It appears that we have suffered at the hands of very cleverly organised scam fraudsters. We are cooperating fully with the Action Fraud. Despite this setback, the club is able to continue to provide normal services to members and visitors. Our members and staff have been informed.”

Hull Golf Club

Related:

Click here or on the image below to read more about how Prince Andrew has been taking the piss out of the tax payer with his latest golf caper