New Facebook scam promises parents they can get their hands on sold-out Hatchimals… here’s what to look out for

SCAMMERS have taken to Facebook to cash in on the demand for Hatchimals, conning desperate parents out of money by claiming to hold stock of the sold-out toy.

The must-have present sold out online earlier this month, and Hatchimal hunters have been exasperated at the lack of availability in most stores.

Demand for the £59.99 toy, an egg which hatches into an interactive bird when rubbed, has been through the roof as parents flock to get their hands on one in time for Christmas.

But shoppers looking for the toy, which comes in a number of different types, have been exploited by cruel Facebook scammers, who claim to be sitting on a number of the coveted eggs.

And after we revealed that a mum had been conned out of £64.50 in her bid to get hold of one, security experts have been forced to step in to warn parents what to look out for.

Sellers will advertise the toys on Facebook in locations where they have sold out in stores in an attempt to lure in festive buyers.

But as soon as their unsuspecting mark has sent them the money for one, the seller will suddenly vanish and never be heard from again.

reports that John Shier, senior security adviser at Sophos, has warned Facebook users to be on the lookout for scam sellers, who may even use fake bank accounts to receive payment for the sold-out toys.

He also warned that parents making statuses about how much they want to get hold of a Hatchimal could potentially lure in scammers, who will capitalise on demand for the interactive eggs.

The fake sellers will then contact anyone who is posting about them on Facebook, and claim to have a toy in their possession, but will block their victim as soon as they've handed over the money.

Security expert John said: "I can only imagine that, as it comes to Christmas season, and [Hatchimals] are still sold out, it could get ugly."

Parents have been advised to only buy from well-known retailers, and are reminded not to give personal information away to anyone online.

Shoppers have also been reminded of the golden rule in looking out for cyber-scammers: if a deal seems like it's too good to be true, that's probably because it is.

Earlier this month, we also revealed that a market for the interactive eggs had sprung up on eBay, where desperate parents are forking out over the odds for the must-have Christmas present.