“Hello Mama”
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Police warn of new scams via WhatsApp
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The logo of the messenger service WhatsApp can be seen on a smartphone.
Photo: AP/Patrick Sison
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Lindlar A 72-year-old from Lindlar transferred a four-digit amount to fraudsters. They pretended to be their daughter via WhatsApp. The police are now warning of the new scam.
“Hello mum. My cell phone broke. This is my new number. ”A 72-year-old woman from Lindlar received this message on Sunday, as reported by the police in the Oberbergischer Kreis. The number was unknown. The 72-year-old asks her alleged daughter if everything is okay. You have a problem, says the following message. Since she is now using an old cell phone, she cannot do online banking with it, the alleged daughter writes and asks the 72-year-old whether she can make a transfer for her. She’ll get the money back quickly.
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The girl from Lindlar wants to help her supposed daughter and transfers a four-digit amount. Only when the “daughter” asks for another transfer does the 72-year-old become suspicious, according to the police. She calls her daughter on the landline and finds out that she has been the victim of a scam.
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This new scam is similar to the already known grandchildren trick on the phone, explains the police in the Oberbergischer Kreis. It often follows the same pattern. The police warn of this type of fraud as well as fraudulent calls. It is recommended that the person who the scammers claim to be contacting and inquiring in a different way is recommended. For example, a person concerned could call the daughter or son who allegedly reports on an unknown number on the landline.
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In addition, those affected should avoid giving the name or other details of the relative, advise the police. The criminals would use this knowledge to take on the role of the named person and deceive the victim. In no case should one respond to requests for payment via messenger services like WhatsApp.
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