UK watchdog investigates spike in WhatsApp recruitment scam calls
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 08:00 · Archive
The UK's data watchdog is investigating a sharp rise in automated calls offering part-time work and asking people to add callers on WhatsApp.
The UK's data watchdog is investigating a sharp rise in automated calls that offer part-time work and ask recipients to add the caller on WhatsApp. The Information Commission's Office received more than 3,600 complaints about these calls in September, the highest number in five years and nearly triple the count from July. The ICO suspects that millions of people have actually received these calls, and said it was 'deeply concerned' by the increase.
When recipients add the callers on WhatsApp, they receive messages offering 'flexible part-time' work with what appears to be legitimate job opportunities. Simon Fell from the Communications Crime Strategy Group suggested the scam could take several forms: it might be a fake job listing involving money muling, where criminals pass criminal funds through people's accounts; it could be a phishing exercise designed to identify active users whose information can be resold; or something else entirely.
The Daily Mail reports that investigators believe the calls are originating from overseas. The automated calls typically appear to come from UK mobile numbers. The ICO has advised people to ignore calls from numbers they do not recognise, block suspicious calls, and report them to the watchdog.
How it is being reported
- Warning over ‘add me to WhatsApp scam’ after rise in complaintsMillions of people are said to have received the scam calls (Picture: AP) Have you had a robocall asking you to add a number on WhatsApp? Or offering part-time work? You aren’t alone – the Information Commissioner’s Office is tackling the issue after receiving more than 3,600 complaints in…Metro · 9 Oct, 08:47
- 'Millions' of Brits are swamped by robo calls where a voice offering part-time work asks to be added on WhatsApp as investigators blame foreign gangsThe Information Commission's Office (ICO) reported more than 3,600 complaints about automated calls in September - the highest rate in five years.Daily Mail · 9 Oct, 07:50
- 'Add me to WhatsApp' scam calls to be investigatedThe UK's data watchdog is investigating a spike in complaints about "robo calls" that appear to lead to a recruitment scam.BBC News · 9 Oct, 00:05
In this story: Information Commission's Office · Communications Crime Strategy Group · UK
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