HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued a stark warning about a £153 million scam circulating on TikTok that tricks individuals into divulging their personal tax details. This alarming fraud prompted HMRC to block suspicious transactions aimed at unlawfully extracting money from public funds.
Authorities arrested two men, Romanian nationals aged 22 and 25, in Newham, London, on April 23, 2026. They allegedly used TikTok to convince taxpayers to share sensitive tax account information with promises of financial rewards.
HMRC provided a striking example of the scam: a fake repayment notification showing £19,692 in what appeared to be an official HMRC account. Accompanied by messages like “HMU [hit me up] for quick cash,” the scammers enticed victims to direct message their National Insurance number, address, and date of birth.
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Another fraudulent message instructed victims: “I sign you up for a UTR number, a letter with a code inside will be sent to your address, once you receive the code you send me the letter. I then process your payment, it will arrive in your bank in 5-7 days. You then transfer my 50pc share into the sort code listed above.” They emphasized, “I do not take your bank login. Limited spaces available. I only work with people I trust.”
Both suspects have been released on bail pending further investigation.
HMRC reminds the public that the agency will never reach out via social media to offer tax rebates or request personal or payment information. Simon Grunwell, from HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, cautions: “Anyone encountering social media adverts or approaches promising easy money through tax credentials should be extremely wary and report these attempts. Protect your personal tax details as vigilantly as your bank information. Offers of quick, risk-free cash in exchange for your details are scams designed to defraud you and the taxpayer.”