Matthew Wright has spoken openly about how scammers withdrew £19,000 from his bank account this week after he fell victim to a virtual scam. The LBC presenter explained to listeners how the scammers sent an email posing as courier service Evri and described how he had missed a laptop delivery.
The presenter moved house – which he documented online – and received countless packages at home, including a laptop, so he was unaware. There was an option in the email to click on a link to rearrange the delivery – which he did, then entered his credit card details for a £2.50 delivery fee.
Matthew explained that he was “tired” and his laptop arrived the next day, but not from Evri. He said: “Later that same day I got a message from American Express asking if I had clicked on a link to an Evri scam. I said, ‘Yes, I had.'”
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Matthew spent an hour on the phone with a person claiming to be from American Express, explaining how he went through the transaction details. “This incredibly helpful man also said he would notify my bank to let them know. At the end of this very long conversation, he hung up and said, ‘You’ll probably hear from the bank next.’
“I hung up and within about ten seconds it was my bank. They listed all these shady transactions on my accounts and said I needed to change all my logins and password. Then I told them my login and password so they could change them. And I still didn’t get it,” he said.
But when Matthew received a call from his real bank moments later, he realised he hadn’t spoken to anyone reputable up until then. After clarifying what had happened with the companies, Matthew managed to cancel most of the transactions, but one for over £19,000 is still missing from his account.
Matthew admitted he was frustrated as he had yet to receive an answer as to whether the £19,000 would be refunded and admitted to having had “sleepless nights”.
He added: “This is the second time I have fallen victim to the scammers and once again I lie awake at night worrying and upset.”
Last month, Matthew shared a snap of all his packed boxes as he prepared to move, writing to X: “All packed, two days of non-stop but I’m ready to go! Thought I’d be more emotional after 23 years here but nope, that means it really is time to say goodbye and go full worl after so many years of procrastination. Tomorrow is a new morning for me x.”
