SCAMMERS are targetting kindhearted social media users with fake posts about people missing in Worcester.
Well-intentioned people are sharing the posts hundreds of times which claim that either a child is missing, an elderly person has been found or show crimes taking place in the city.
They are causing concern for people in Worcester prompting police to issue a warning.
One such post shows a picture of an elderly woman and reads: "URGENT does anyone recognise this lady?
"She showed up at our shelter in Worcester area with a dog but doesn't know where she is please message us ASAP."
Another is asking for urgent help in locating a young boy.
West Mercia Police said public support while trying to find a missing person is 'invaluable' but people must ensure the information has come from a police force or trusted local media.
A spokesperson from the police said: "We encourage people to always check the source of a missing person appeal before sharing on social media.
"If it has come from a police force or trusted local media source then your support in spreading the word is invaluable.
"Our public appeals regularly result in valuable information which help us find missing people."
It is feared that once the posts have been shared multiple times, the accounts will edit them and change them into an advertisement.
The posts are usually made by newly set up profiles that have very little information on their pages.
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