Various threats are common on these digital platforms. (Photo: Getty Images)
Scams through WhatsApp have escalated in frequency and sophistication, becoming one of the preferred tactics for cybercriminals to obtain personal and financial information.
In recent years, various authorities, including Spain’s Civil Guard, have issued alerts about a type of fraud that is on the rise: calls and messages from unknown numbers with international prefixes.
For this reason, How this type of scam works on WhatsApp is explainedalong with what are the prevention measures to avoid falling into traps that end up stealing large sums of money and private data.
Criminals use this modality to leave no trace of the theft. (Photo: Shutterstock)
The modus operandi is direct. Scammers contact the victim through a call or message on WhatsApp, causing a missed call notification to appear on the device.
This notification, driven by natural curiosity and the desire to resolve possible emergencies, leads many to call back without suspecting that they could be falling into a well-orchestrated trap.
Once the victim contacts the numberscammers use different strategies to keep you on the line. They may pretend to be an automated system, present recorded messages, or even establish a real conversation under the pretext of urgent problems that require the victim’s attention.
Unknown numbers are an alarming sign of possible fraud. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
The Civil Guard and other cybersecurity expert entities have warned about numbers with certain international prefixes that, when answered or returned, They can endanger the safety of the victim. Some of the most notable prefixes are:
- +355: Albania
- +225: Ivory Coast
- +233: Ghana
- +234: Nigeria
Answering or returning calls from these numbers can lead to criminals collecting enough information to carry out future targeted attacks, such as identity theft or more complex fraud.
Additionally, some methods include redirecting the user to fraudulent websites that seek to capture more data or even installing malware on the device.
Cyber attackers leave missed calls to generate a sense of urgency. (Photo: Freepik)
Scammers take advantage of people’s instinctive reaction to missed call notifications. Without suspecting anythingmany users call back or reply to the message without first verifying the legitimacy of the contact number.
during the conversationcriminals request information under convincing pretexts, such as the need to confirm data to avoid an alleged legal or technical problem.
In other situations, calls may incur high costs as they are directed to premium rate lines, resulting in unexpected charges for the victim.
It is essential not to panic when faced with notifications or calls that are not recognized. (Illustrative image Infobae)
Authorities in various parts of the world recommend following the following measures, To avoid being a victim of this type of fraud on WhatsApp:
- Do not return calls from unknown numbers, especially if they come from prefixes associated with scams.
- Before answering or returning a call, it is crucial to verify if the number comes from a region known to be used in fraud.
- Performing a quick search for the number on the web helps identify if other people have reported the number as fraudulent.
- Avoid sharing personal or financial information by phone or messaging with unknown numbers.
- Cybersecurity entities frequently update lists with prefixes that are associated with fraud. Consulting these lists can be of great help in recognizing possible threats.
Scammers use manipulative tactics to convince their victims that they should act quickly and without questioning the situation. Phrases that imply urgency or a critical situation are usually a warning sign.
In some cases, criminals may directly ask for sensitive information, such as full names, identification numbers, addresses, or account details. If the call or message involves these types of requests, it is safest to stop communication immediately.
