Jean Slater innocently gave away her financial information in EastEnders (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
As Christmas draws near, it’s set to be a season of sorrow for Albert Square’s Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), who finds herself ensnared in an elaborate pension scam. The beloved character is about to face a harsh reality check.
In recent instalments of the One soap, viewers saw Jean receiving a call from an investment firm, piquing her interest in discussing her financial situation.
The popular character sought advice on how to maximise her savings, a decision she soon regrets as the grim truth unfolds.
During Wednesday’s episode (November 27), the compassionate Jean informed Martin Fowler (James Bye) that she could contribute towards his custody battle against Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) once she liquidates her investment.
This revelation raised eyebrows among the Slaters, with Jean’s partner Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) probing further, leaving her unsettled.
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Jean Slater is set for heartache in a new EastEnders plot (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
However, by Thursday, Jean was devastated to learn that the ‘financial advisors’ she entrusted with her money were fraudsters who had targeted her and swindled her out of her entire investment.
This storyline, part of the ‘s Scam Safe campaign, will continue to unfold as Jean uncovers more about the con artists and grapples with the practical and emotional aftermath of the crime.
Next week on , Stacey (played by Lacey Turner) grapples with her mum Jean’s scam woes and urges her to go to the police about her ordeal. Though Jean is hesitant at first, she finds solace when a lawyer reassures her that her funds can be salvaged.
Stacey tries to comfort a heartbroken Jean in EastEnders (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Nevertheless, Stacey is still fraught with concern and enlists Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) to delve into the situation but what will his probing reveal?
In crafting this compelling plot, consulted with scam specialists, including independent expert Nick Stapleton, The Pensions Regulator, and Stop Scams UK, as they portray Jean falling victim to a callous pension fraud scam.
executive producer, Chris Clenshaw, opened up about the narrative, stating: “Jean’s story will highlight the extreme strategies scammers use to gain a victim’s trust to convince them into parting with serious sums of money.”
He elaborates on the impact of Jeans situation further by saying: “Not only will Jean have to cope with losing her pension money, but she’ll also have to deal with a range of difficult emotions as she tells her family and friends what’s happened.”
Nick Stapleton, an authority on scams and spokesperson for Scam Safe, expressed his approval: “I am incredibly happy to see the issue of scams and fraud getting the attention it deserves with a storyline on one of the nation’s favourite soaps.
“Scams are one of the greatest challenges of modern times; not just the money we lose to scammers as a country, but the emotional and psychological impact for those who go through one.
“It’s high time we brought that fully into the mainstream and is leading the way.”
airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on One and iPlayer