'Fake live stream scammers targeted my dad's funeral'

A grieving daughter has told how she and her family were targeted by a live stream scam on the day of her father's funeral.

Emma Johnstone, of Inverness, and other mourners were sent a link on social media which claimed that it would let them watch the service online.

But it was actually an attempt to scam money from those who were unable to attend William Johnstone's funeral.

Ms Johnstone said she did not think anyone had paid the charge and described those behind the scheme as "disgusting".

She said: "Their final goal is the money. It's horrible."

Widower Mr Johnstone - who lost his wife Helen four years ago - died in January, aged 73.

He worked for Highland Industrial Supplies in Inverness for many years and was also a local delivery driver for Dennis' takeaway.

Ms Johnstone said: "Dad was very much a family man.

"He worked to support us and was very active in the community.

"When we lost mum in 2020 he stepped up to become that go-to person."

On the day of her father's funeral, Ms Johnstone, her brother Don and others received a notification on Facebook inviting them to join a live stream.

It was initially thought to be from the funeral directors, who were running a legitimate streaming service, but mourners who clicked on the link discovered they were being asked for their bank details.

Ms Johnstone said: "They used my dad's picture from the funeral directors' page. They knew the funeral was that day.

"For a moment we thought it was genuine."

Once they realised that it was a scam, they alerted all those who had been sent the link.

Ms Johnstone said she did not think anyone had handed over money - and described those responsible as "not human".

She said it was "the lowest of the low to attack people when they are having to deal with extremely difficult situations".

Halde Pottinger is a Highland-based celebrant who officiates at weddings and funerals.

His own family was targeted following the death of his 42-year-old brother - father-of-four - Ranald in March.

He personally received a number of requests from scammers on Facebook.

Mr Pottinger said victims might fall prey to fraudsters as they refuse to believe anyone could be so cruel as to attempt a funeral scam.

He said: "It is not just a fraud to sell something and then not give it.

"It is going right to the heart of people who are at their most vulnerable, people have who just lost a loved one."

Callum Ross, of Tom Ross and Sons Funeral Directors in Forres, urged people to be aware of the scams.

He said: "No funeral director is ever going to send you a friend request for a live stream.

"Secondly, no funeral director is ever going to ask you pay money to watch a live stream."

Police Scotland said it had advice on its website about scams and frauds.

Meta, the company that owns Facebook, said: "We don't allow fraudulent activity on our platforms, and we have removed the content brought to our attention.

"We are continually investing in protections against fraud for people who use our platforms and work closely with law enforcement to support investigations.

"We encourage our community to report activity like this to us and the police, so we can take action."