Ukash voucher codes targeted in loans scam

Updated happygeek 0 554 Views

Global online cash provider , founded in 2001 and with a presence in more than 50 countries across 6 continents, has warned users not to get scammed by a loan company con doing the rounds at the moment. Ukash works on a code basis, with the user buying a voucher in a shop or petrol station for example, and the unique 19 digit code it contains is used to pay for stuff anywhere online that accepts Ukash transactions (the codes can also load 'cash' into prepaid cards and e-wallets).

8dacd82b5aee0265e8e9055ff922f33a Reports are emerging that conmen claiming to represent 'The Start-ups Loan Company' amongst other loan providers, are scamming people out of their Ukash codes. “The official Start-Up Loans Company is a government backed organisation and is not associated with providing loans to individuals, but is one of the names criminals are using to conduct this scam,” warns Miranda McLean, a director of Ukash. “The criminals have access to personal information provided to loan broker websites and claim to have approved a loan, but need a fee to be paid in advance."

The advice is, obviously, that Ukash voucher codes should never be given to a third-party by any method other than through an official Ukash partner site. “No genuine loan company will ask for a fee to be paid in advance" McLean advises, continuing "the simple message is to treat Ukash with the same security as you would physical cash. We continue to work closely with police and other fraud fighting organisations, and update our website with the latest scams, to help stop these criminals in their tracks and protect our customers.”

Anyone who realises they have been scammed should contact Ukash immediately on 00800 247 85274, and the company will attempt to block the Ukash code before it is used. They should also report the crime, or attempted crime, to Action Fraud UK on 0300 123 2040.

Dani AI

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This thread flags a recurring advance‑fee scam that asks people to pay “processing” or “administration” charges using prepaid voucher codes. ’s report matches Action Fraud bulletins that describe fraudsters claiming loan approval and asking for voucher codes as a condition of release — once a code is passed on it is essentially untraceable. (actionfraud.police.uk)

If you or someone you know is contacted like this, do these things immediately:

  1. Stop all contact and do not send further voucher codes.
  2. Preserve evidence: photos/receipts of the voucher, screenshots of messages, call logs and email headers.
  3. Contact the voucher issuer only via channels you find independently (official website or the number on the receipt) to ask whether an unused code can be blocked.
  4. Notify your bank or payment provider and ask about cancelling or disputing payments.
  5. Report the incident to your national fraud-reporting service and forward suspicious emails/texts to the national phishing service (for the UK, Action Fraud and the NCSC reporting routes are the right options).
    These quick steps are the accepted practical response and recovery actions. (moneysavingexpert.com)

How to spot this kind of scam: any unsolicited “loan approved” message that pressures you to pay now, insists on non‑traceable methods (vouchers, gift cards, crypto, money‑transfer), or refuses to provide verifiable company details is suspect. Verify a lender before you engage — check the Financial Services Register and company registration details rather than trusting an email or a cold call. As notes, the same tactic shows up with other payment systems and gift vouchers, not just one brand. (fca.org.uk)

Prevention is simple: treat voucher codes like cash, never send them to anyone who contacted you first, and only use regulated, verifiable lenders. If money has been lost, report it promptly so investigators can try to disrupt the fraud and collect evidence for others. (actionfraud.police.uk)

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The advice is, obviously, that Ukash voucher codes should never be given to a third-party by any method other than through an official Ukash partner site. “No genuine loan company will ask for a fee to be paid in advance" McLean advises, continuing "the simple message is to treat Ukash with the same security as you would physical cash. We continue to work closely with police and other fraud fighting organisations, and update our website with the latest scams, to help stop these criminals in their tracks and protect our customers.”

I never heard of Ukash payment plan til now.

I think it happend to PayPal but not sure what year it happend regarding the similarity how scammers used voucher to get money from customers.

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