Lauren's charity theft exposed as scam horror intensifies in early iPlayer release

Things get worse for Lauren
Joel Harley
By Joel Harley

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for today’s episode of EastEnders, which is streaming now on BBC iPlayer, but has not yet aired on BBC One – in which Lauren Branning fears she’s fallen victim to a scam as her charity theft is exposed.

A dodgy doctor targeted Lauren with a scam in EastEnders last night, tricking her into sending £3000 in the hope of helping baby Jimmy. However, in doing so, she stole money she’d raised during a charity fundraiser at The Vic, sending it over to her phony doctor.

Lauren realised that she’d been duped immediately after, when she called the doctor only to discover that he’d disconnected his number.

And, as the story continues today (Thursday, November 27), Lauren’s horror worsens when someone realises what she’s done.

Lauren looks at her laptop on EastEnders
The reality of the situation sinks in (Credit: BBC)

Lauren realises she’s fallen victim to a scam in EastEnders today

Lauren is in a state of panic after last night’s events.

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Worrying that she’s been conned, she speaks to Anthony. He only confirms her fear that the hypothetical treatment is a load of old hokum.

She’s even more distraught when Ian tags her and the charity into a post on social media. A worker for the charity then arrives on Lauren’s door, thanking her for their hard work, and wanting to do a feature on Lauren and Peter.

Meanwhile, Ian starts to worry when Cindy tells him that she’s spoken to Lauren about the treatment. He goes to see Lauren, and begs her not to send the doctor any money.

He’s horrified when she admits that she already sent the cash. Ian is appalled to realise that she’s stolen the charity money to fund a non-existent treatment, but reluctantly agrees to stay quiet.

But how long can Lauren hide her guilty secret?

Peter walks in as Ian and Lauren talk

Ian knows what Lauren has done (Credit: BBC)

Peter catches secretive Ian and Lauren next week

As the story continues next week, Peter walks in to find Lauren and Ian sharing a hushed conversation. Covering for herself, she makes up a lie.

Will Peter catch on to Lauren’s secret? And how will she get the charity money back?

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.