ICO to Investigate 'Add me on WhatsApp' Scam Calls
The ICO received over 3,600 automated call complaints in September, marking a five-year high and nearly triple the number recorded in July.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- ICO reports over 3,600 automated call complaints in September, a 5-year peak
- Scam calls often mimic UK mobile numbers and lure targets to WhatsApp chats
- Experts warn of fake recruitment schemes potentially involving money laundering
- UK government and telecom operators push to eliminate caller ID spoofing
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has reported a concerning surge in automated phone calls, receiving over 3,600 complaints in September alone. This figure represents a five-year high and nearly triples the approximately 1,200 complaints recorded just two months prior in July.
These automated calls typically employ recorded voice messages promoting part-time job opportunities. Targets are subsequently instructed to initiate contact via messaging applications, most notably through prompts urging recipients to add a specific contact on WhatsApp for further details.
Simon Fell from the Communications Crime Strategy Group, a telecoms industry body established to combat fraud, stated that while the exact final execution of the scam could vary, the incoming messages strongly point toward a recruitment fraud operation.
"They would either put you through to a fake job listing, which might involve some form of money muling... your account which can lead to terrible consequences."
Simon Fell
Fell explained that victims are often funneled into fake employment listings that could inadvertently involve money muling. These fraudulent schemes may masquerade as entirely legitimate roles or ad hoc assignments, yet they risk funneling illicit funds through personal bank accounts with devastating legal consequences.
This type of scam exploits human psychology by leveraging urgency and attractive incentives to lower victims' defenses. The shift from traditional robocalls to encrypted chat apps like WhatsApp highlights fraudsters' ongoing efforts to bypass standard carrier spam filters. Recognizing that answering unknown numbers and moving to unverified chat rooms serves as the primary gateway to cyber fraud remains essential for digital safety.
Andy Curry, the ICO's head of criminal investigations, told the BBC that these automated calls are believed to originate from overseas. He noted that the official complaint figures capture only a small fraction of those affected, estimating that millions of individuals across the country receive these indiscriminate messages.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Meanwhile, a WhatsApp spokesperson emphasized that the platform maintains robust safety features to protect users from fraudulent communications, including options to silence calls from unknown numbers. Furthermore, WhatsApp bans millions of accounts annually for malicious behaviors such as bulk automated registration or automated mass messaging.
Addressing the origin of these communications, Fell pointed out that mobile network operators are actively working on multiple fronts to combat the influx of automated calls. Criminals routinely spoof phone numbers to make automated calls appear as though they originate from domestic UK mobile numbers.
Last November, the UK government pledged to eradicate caller ID spoofing within a year. A Home Office spokesperson reiterated that authorities are taking robust action to tackle fraud and remain fully committed to delivering the Telecommunications Charter alongside industry partners.
Source: BBC Business
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