In the course of 2022, there was a sharp increase in Messenger– Fraud cases that continue.
In this type of scam, victims receive a message from an unknown phone number Messenger– service, mostly WhatsApp.
The perpetrators pretend to be close relatives (son, daughter, grandson etc.) and specifically address their victims with “Mama” or “Papa”, for example. They say their phone number has changed. The reason given is often that the old cell phone was damaged in various ways. Those affected are asked to save the new number and delete the old number.
In the further course of communication via WhatsApp ask the perpetrators for bank transfers under the pretext of their own Online-Banking do not work (yet) due to the new phone number / the new mobile phone and transmit the corresponding transfer data.
The Federal Criminal Police Office therefore advises:
- Under no circumstances should you go over to demands for money Messenger-Services on.
- In such a case, call your relative on the “old” number you knew beforehand. Do not respond to further contact attempts from the “new” number.
- Do not save an unknown phone number as a contact in your mobile phone.
If you are already a victim:
- Under no circumstances should you transfer any further sums of money.
- File a criminal complaint at your local police station or through the Onlineguard of your state.
- If you have already transferred money, contact your bank to possibly stop or reverse the transfers that have been made.
The police crime prevention and WhatsApp published in a campaign at the following link: https://www.polizei-beratung.de/startseite-und-aktionen/aktuelles/detailansicht/betrugsmaschen-bei-whatsapp-check-deinen-kontakt/
