Whatsapp Scam : Beware of numbers starting with +92, +44, and +1

The Indian government and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have issued an advisory warning people to beware of scam calls coming through WhatsApp. The numbers start with +92, the country code of Pakistan. These scam calls originate from Pakistan and other countries and are part of organised rackets. Moreover, these Whatsapp calls from international numbers even try impersonating DoT officials, claiming illegal activities, and threatening people.

The warning comes after thousands of Indian WhatsApp users have reported receiving calls from numbers like +92 300XXXX, +92 301XXXX, etc. Scam calls offering lucrative job offers, encouraging the download of Whatsapp Gold Premium in the name of an official Whatsapp account, and stealing money via QR code scans are some other common Whatsapp scams in India.

Once the call is answered, an automated pre-recorded message speaks in Hindi and asks to call back on an alternate mobile number due to poor network coverage. This technique masks the scammer’s identity and tricks people into calling back and falling into the trap.

The scammers gather personal information like Aadhaar, PAN, OTPs, and bank account details from unsuspecting people once the call is connected again. This data is then used to carry out fraudulent transactions and identity theft. Leading to major financial losses and stress for victims.

Recent Scam Cases Across India

Nigerian Scammers: The Fake Lottery And Romance Trap

Nigerian Scammers are known for forging fake lotteries and romance scams. These crooks send messages and emails that the recipient has won hundreds of lotteries or has inherited a fortune from a relative that is new to them, only needing “processing fees” to unlock these funds. In romance scams, they create multiple accounts that look real on social media or dating sites, win over the victim's emotional well, and ask for fake emergency money. These kinds of scams have emotionally and financially ruined so many people around the world.

Free Laptops And Scholarship Scams

There are cases in which fraudsters claim to offer laptops or scholarships and ask for money. Sometimes they impersonate a legitimate institution or a government programme. So for the sake of getting these benefits victims are required to pay what is styled as a small “registration fee” or share their details. Such a scheme is designed for the support of students or other low-income people and in the end, they get false promises and their personal information is taken away from them instead.

Wedding Invitation Scams

Scam artists have been utilising virtual wedding invitations to distribute malware. They send messages on WhatsApp with links to what they identify as a wedding invitation card or an event. After clicking on the link, damaging software gets installed on the device allowing them to obtain any personal data including bank accounts or private messages.

WhatsApp Video Call Scams: Bengaluru Senior Citizen Loses ₹1.94 Crore.

A 75-year-old woman from Bengaluru has been duped 1.94 crore rupees in what has come to be known as a WhatsApp Video Call Scam. The fraudsters initially started as calls to the victim, with the singular intent of establishing trust. Thereafter, they managed to create an imaginary situation and persuaded the victim to transfer funds. Such infiltration of emotions as a scam to target people is disturbing, to say the least.

WhatsApp Group Scams: Fake Job Offers And Hacking Attempts

WhatsApp Group scams consist of impersonators targeting individuals by creating groups on the platform claiming membership can grant access to overseas jobs with generous salaries or app investments. Such groups preside links to phishing apps or even standalone apps responsible for booting personal details or even hacking into the targeted individual’s WhatsApp account.

Six-Digit Code Scam: Hacking WhatsApp Accounts

In this fraud method, the perpetrator impersonates a friend or other official contact and sends a message to the victim requesting a 6-digit WhatsApp code. Once the victim shares the code, the fraudster accesses the victim’s account using that particular code, seizing control of the victim’s account and using it to scam the victim’s acquaintances.

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Common Scams Involving +92, +44, and +1 Numbers

While these country codes can be used for legitimate calls, they are also frequently used by scammers. Here are some common scams associated with these numbers:

+92 (Pakistan)

• Tech Support Scams: Scammers posing as technicians from well-known tech companies often use +92 numbers. They claim to have detected viruses or malware on your computer and offer to "fix" the issue for a fee.

• Romantic Scams: Scammers may create fake online profiles and claim to be from Pakistan. They may build a romantic relationship with their victims and eventually ask for money.

+44 (United Kingdom)

• Debt Collection Scams: Scammers often use +44 numbers to pretend to be debt collectors. They may threaten legal action or claim you owe money for services you never used.

• Government Imposter Scams: Scammers may pose as government officials, such as from the HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) or the police. They may claim that you owe taxes or that you are involved in a crime.

+1 (North America)

• Tech Support Scams: Similar to +92 scams, scammers often use +1 numbers to pose as tech support representatives.

• Phishing Scams: Scammers may call and pretend to be from a legitimate organization, such as a bank or government agency. They may ask for personal information, such as your Social Security number or credit card details.

• Lottery Scams: Scammers may call and inform you that you have won a lottery or prize. They will often require you to pay a fee to claim the prize.

Remember: If you receive a call from an unfamiliar number, especially one starting with +92, +44, or +1, be cautious. Do not provide any personal information or financial details unless you are sure of the caller's identity.

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Types Of WhatsApp Scams

There are various types of WhatsApp scams that people fall for such as:

• Phishing scams: Here, the scammer sends people messages pretending to be from a legitimate company or government agency. The message usually has a link that leads to a fake website to steal people’s private information.

• WhatsApp Gold scam: Scammers send a link saying that it is for a premium version of the WhatsApp application. i.e. WhatsApp Gold which contains malware.

• Impersonation scams: Fraudsters pretend to be someone the target might know by cloning their profile picture and name and eventually ask for money after building trust.

• WhatsApp code scams: Here, people receive a message from someone to send a WhatsApp verification code that was accidentally sent to their number, and those who do, fall prey to the attackers.

• Lottery scams: Here, people receive a message stating that they’ve won a prize and to win it, they are asked to pay a nominal processing fee or provide their personal information.

• Fake charity scams: Scammers make use of any recent tragic event and ask for donations and charities by playing on people’s emotions.

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How To Avoid WhatsApp Scam Calls?

• Be alert if any international number calls you over WhatsApp, especially starting with +92, +44, and +1. These are the codes of Pakistan, the UK, and the USA, where such scam centres are widespread.

• Do not call back on any alternate number they ask you to. No matter how authentic and urgent the reason sounds.

• Never share personal information like OTPs, passwords, Aadhaar, etc. over such phone calls or messages.

• Use the Truecaller app to identify scam numbers reported by other users and avoid picking them up.

• Notify authorities about such scam numbers so they can be blocked for others and legal action can be initiated.

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What To Do After Receiving A Scam Call?

• In case you have become a victim, immediately get in touch with cybersecurity helplines.

• Also, inform your contacts and banks, and change passwords.

• The Indian government has reiterated that people should never share confidential information over phone calls or SMS over any number.

Understand how to protect yourself from suspicious messages and scams by visiting the WhatsApp website. Customers can also call the helpline at 1930 for any query.

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