WhatsApp has a billion of users globally and is primary source of digital communication for a lot of people.
As reported by many people, different scams are being circulated on Whatsapp. The problem with these scams is that they affect people of all ages and professions. And because it’s a messaging app, it has become quite easy for the fraudsters to lure people into these scams and trick them out of their hard earned money.
Recently, reports of a new fraud involving calls from foreign numbers have surfaced.
Another fraud included convincing victims to join up for part-time employment and earn money by performing various “tasks” via WhatsApp messaging.
This time, WhatsApp users are receiving calls from international numbers from different countries like Ethiopia (+251), Malaysia (+60), Indonesia (+62), Kenya (+254), Vietnam (+84) and others.
At this point, it is also crucial to note that these code numbers do not mean that the calls are being received form these nations. As several media reports claim there are agencies that sell international numbers to local scammers. WhatsApp calls are relayed through the internet, and anybody can contact you from an international number, even if they are in the same city as you.
Getting employment offers via WhatsApp messaging is another hoax that has been documented. Scammers will pretend to be from a reputable firm and offer you a part-time job that you can do from the comfort of your own home. The majority of the time, con artists would initially entice victims by promising them a minor reward for accomplishing a “task.” In most common cases, the scammers ask the user to do minor work such as liking and increasing views of videos posted on online social media platforms such as Youtube , Instagram, etc. and the users are rewarded with cash. Once the user receives their money, they begin to believe the con artists and become involved in a wider fraud that may cost them a lot of money.
WhatsApp users receive these calls and messages out of the blue. Right now, it would be best to ignore or refuse these. Users have the option to report and block these numbers too.
To block a number on WhatsApp, open a chat with the contact, then tap More > Block > Block. You can also report the contact by tapping Report contact > Block.
In any case, WhatsApp has also taken the initiative to monitor these frauds. It has also started ‘Stay Safe with WhatsApp’ campaign, that seeks to educate users about safer online behaviour. It draws attention to product features that enable customers to take charge of their online security and guarantee a secure communications environment. The campaign’s main objective is to inform users of WhatsApp’s built-in features and security measures, such as Two-Step Verification, Block and Report, and Privacy Control.
