Warning over bogus ‘rugby training’ emails

POLICE have warned parents of bogus emails which claim to be offering free children’s rugby training, while asking for the child’s personal details and a photo of their upper body.
Anyone who receives the email is advised to contact the police. Picture: PAAnyone who receives the email is advised to contact the police. Picture: PA
Anyone who receives the email is advised to contact the police. Picture: PA

The scam purportedly comes from a club called Aberdeenshire Rugby, which does not exist.

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils are warning parents not to respond to the scam, and to contact the authorities.

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The email asks for information about primary six and seven boys, including their name, date of birth, medical conditions, size, weight and a photograph of the child’s upper body.

The email’s author claims to have received an email about the recipient’s son’s rugby performance, and to be establishing a free 12-week training programme in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils advise parents, carers and guardians to treat any such email, unless it comes from a verified source, with caution and to never send information about or photographs of children to someone you don’t know.

Aberdeen City Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy and Partnership Manager Jo Hall said: “No reputable, registered sporting organisation would contact parents out of the blue in this way and would certainly not seek this level of information or photographs. Remember the ‘Stranger Danger’ rule applies online as well as on the phone or in the street.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received a complaint and our enquiries are on-going. Parents should not respond to any unsolicited emails or send personal information.

“This is an unusual incident and anyone with concerns should contact Police Scotland.”