Scammers target WhatsApp users with fraudulent calls

New Delhi — Scammers are now using WhatsApp to perpetrate fraudulent calls on an unprecedented scale. This modus operandi of executing scams via the messaging platform is a novel trend, while in the past, scammers relied on SMS to reach their targets.

Several individuals have reported receiving missed calls and messages on WhatsApp from international numbers, some of which begin with country codes such as +62 (Indonesia), +63 (the Philippines), +84 (Vietnam), +218 (Libya), and +223 (Mali). The writer of this piece initially received scam messages on WhatsApp. A couple of days later he received six consecutive missed calls from a different number with the +63 country code (the Philippines).

The scammers behind these calls may have acquired VoIP numbers for WhatsApp online or purchased international numbers in bulk to scam people. According to a report published by Entrackr, WhatsApp is aware of these scammers targeting users on the platform.

“Over the years, we have consistently invested in Artificial Intelligence and other state-of-the-art technology, data scientists and experts, and in processes, in order to keep our users safe on our platform,” the report quoted a WhatsApp spokesperson as saying.

WhatsApp’s security features enable users to block such calls and messages. To avoid falling victim to such scams, users are advised to refrain from interacting with unknown international calls or messages and take prompt measures to block them.