This story is from May 11, 2023
WhatsApp calls and messages from international numbers starting with +254, +84, +63 or others have become a common scam on the platform. This scam has attracted quite a bit of attention lately. If you aren’t aware, scammers message or call WhatsApp users via international numbers. These calls are both audio and video calls.
I4C has issued an alert
Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has started circulating an alert to all users in order to prevent users from falling for such scams. Experts in data analysis and forensics told ANI that these international numbers are of Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia origin and they could steal financial information and data.
Another expert in cyber intelligence and digital forensics has mentioned that this is a new cybercrime trend and people across the country are receiving such calls and messages on WhatsApp irrespective of their profession from numbers starting with +254, +84, +63, +1(218) or other international numbers and some of them have already become a victim of these scams, told an expert in cyber intelligence and digital forensics told ANI anonymously.
WhatsApp’s tips for users to tackle these fake calls
WhatsApp has suggested two important things that users can do to stay safe of this scam, these include:
1. Block all such numbers
2. Report these phone numbers to WhatsApp.
“Blocking and Reporting suspicious messages/ calls is an important step to effectively combat scams and when users receive calls from unknown international or domestic phone numbers, WhatsApp provides a convenient way to block and report suspicious accounts. It’s important to report these accounts to WhatsApp so that we can take the required action against and ban them from the platform. Users can also control who sees their personal details and their online presence by using our privacy controls. Keeping your personal details visible to only your contacts can help safeguard your account against bad actors,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement.
I4C has issued an alert
Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has started circulating an alert to all users in order to prevent users from falling for such scams. Experts in data analysis and forensics told ANI that these international numbers are of Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia origin and they could steal financial information and data.
Another expert in cyber intelligence and digital forensics has mentioned that this is a new cybercrime trend and people across the country are receiving such calls and messages on WhatsApp irrespective of their profession from numbers starting with +254, +84, +63, +1(218) or other international numbers and some of them have already become a victim of these scams, told an expert in cyber intelligence and digital forensics told ANI anonymously.
WhatsApp’s tips for users to tackle these fake calls
WhatsApp has suggested two important things that users can do to stay safe of this scam, these include:
1. Block all such numbers
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“Blocking and Reporting suspicious messages/ calls is an important step to effectively combat scams and when users receive calls from unknown international or domestic phone numbers, WhatsApp provides a convenient way to block and report suspicious accounts. It’s important to report these accounts to WhatsApp so that we can take the required action against and ban them from the platform. Users can also control who sees their personal details and their online presence by using our privacy controls. Keeping your personal details visible to only your contacts can help safeguard your account against bad actors,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement.
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