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PLAB 2 Communities Currency Scam Vigilance

Updated: Aug 11

⚠️ Protect Yourself from PLAB 2 Currency Exchange Scammers – Download This Scam Alert Contact List


Hi everyone,

Over the past few months in our TuringMedSchool PLAB 2 WhatsApp community, we’ve been seeing a worrying trend - random people joining purely to target international medical graduates (IMGs) with currency exchange scams.


It usually goes like this:

  • They join a group pretending to be a helpful candidate.

  • Then they send a private message offering to “exchange currency” at a better rate.

  • Once you send the money, they vanish.


Sadly, we’ve had members lose significant amounts, sometimes hundreds of pounds to these scams.

Many of us are already under pressure with exam fees, visas, and living costs, and being scammed on top of that is heartbreaking.


What We Did

We started collecting:

  • The scammer’s phone number (including country code)

  • Proof — a screenshot showing the scam message in one of our groups.


We compiled all these into a .vcf file (a standard contact format for both Android and iPhone).

Every contact in the file:

  • Has a clear name like “Currency Scam 1”, “Currency Scam 2”…

  • Includes the scammer’s number so your phone can recognise it when they call or message you.

  • Contains a proof link — so you can see the exact scam message they posted.


How This Helps You

Once you import this contact file into your phone:

  • If a scammer messages or calls you, you’ll see their name pop up instantly.

  • You can block/report them straight away.

  • Group admins can spot these numbers and remove them immediately.


We’re sharing this publicly so that all PLAB 2 candidates, and even other community admins, can use it to protect their members.


How to Use the File

1️⃣ Download the .vcf file here:



2️⃣ On Android:

  • Tap the file → Open with Contacts → Import.

  • All scammer numbers will be saved in your contacts.


3️⃣ On iPhone:

  • Tap the file in Files or Mail → Select Add All Contacts.

  • Done — they’ll appear in your contact list.

💡 You can then block these contacts in bulk, or simply let them sit in your phone so you get a warning if they message you.


Image showing how to import the contacts using the vcf file
Image showing how to import the contacts using the vcf file

Final Thought

We all came to the UK journey with dreams and sacrifices. The last thing anyone should have to face is being cheated by someone hiding behind a WhatsApp number.

Let’s protect each other.

Download the file, share it with your friends, and if you’re an admin of another PLAB 2 group - feel free to use this to kick scammers out before they harm someone.


Stay safe,

- A fellow IMG who’s tired of seeing good people get scammed.



 
 
 

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