A WARNING has been issued over a WhatsApp messenger scam in which recipients are urged to transfer money to someone purporting to be a family member in need of urgent help.

Thames Valley Police said it has received an “increasing” number of reports over the scam and is urging people to be aware of it.

The message comes from an unknown number and states ‘their phone is broken’ or something similar.

One example police have seen is: "Mum, my phone is broken. Could you message me on WhatsApp on this number 07466630678? I can not text back and can't call so WhatsApp me please Xx".

Police urged residents not to ring the number as it's a scam.

They said: "If you receive a text like this from your daughter or son, or any family member, please contact them the usual way but using a different phone to check. You will find they are well and have no problems with their mobiles.

"The member rang the number and realised it was an overseas number by the ringtone, which was answered by someone possibly speaking Spanish. Later the member spoke to her son and daughter who said they were both fine."