Scam warning after Southport victim's funeral targeted

Police said it was "appalling" that people had tried to exploit the funerals of those killed in the Southport attacks for financial gain

Scammers attempted to make money from the funeral of one of the victims of the Southport knife attacks, police have warned.

A number of Facebook accounts sent out links to a bogus live stream of the funeral on Saturday of six-year-old Bebe King, and to a bogus donations page.

Ahead of the funeral tomorrow of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, who also died in the 29 July attack, Merseyside Police urged people to be vigilant.

It warned people never to click without thinking on an unexpected email, social media post or message, and to remember phone numbers and email accounts could be faked and may not be authentic.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King died after the attack on 29 July

Det Insp Steve Frame said: "We are aware of social media accounts offering people the chance to view live streams of funerals in exchange for donations.

"To take advantage of such a tragic incident is appalling and we want to give people advice on how to avoid being scammed.

"Many frauds start by tricking people into entering their details into an apparently legitimate site.

"Take care when accessing websites, particularly those promoted by social media accounts – they may not be what they appear to be."

The force warned to never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email, text or social media post and to remember email addresses and phone numbers can be faked and should not be used to verify that a message or call is authentic.

Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were fatally wounded as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Eight other children and two adults were injured in the attack, over which Axel Rudakabana, 18, from Banks village near Southport, has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder, and remanded in custody.