International Calls Scam: Indian Cybercrime Team Issues Alert for WhatsApp Users

Indian authorities have recently raised concerns about a growing scam targeting WhatsApp users involving fraudulent international calls. The cybercrime team has issued an alert, warning individuals to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from falling victim to this cybercrime.

The scam operates by tricking WhatsApp users into accepting incoming calls from unknown international numbers. Once the call is answered, the scammers employ various tactics to deceive and manipulate the victims. They may pose as representatives of telecom companies, banks, or government agencies, claiming that the user’s account has been compromised or that their personal information is at risk. In some cases, they may demand immediate payment or ask the victim to disclose sensitive data, such as banking credentials or OTPs (one-time passwords).

The Indian cybercrime team has issued an alert urging WhatsApp users to exercise caution. They emphasize that accepting calls from unfamiliar international numbers may grant scammers unauthorized access to personal data or compromise the user’s device. The authorities advise users to refrain from answering calls from unknown sources, particularly those with international prefixes, to minimize the risk of falling victim to the scam.

To safeguard themselves, WhatsApp users should ensure that their privacy settings are appropriately configured. It is advisable to set the privacy option to “My Contacts” or “Contacts Only” to restrict incoming calls from unknown individuals. Additionally, users are encouraged to report any suspicious or fraudulent activities to the local authorities or cybercrime helplines.                                                 

–Re-reported from the story originally published in Gadgets Now