'Add me to WhatsApp' scam calls to be investigated

The UK's data watchdog, the Information Commission's Office (ICO), is investigating a surge in complaints about robo calls that allegedly lead to recruitment scams. In September, the ICO received over 3,600 complaints about automated calls, a five-year high and nearly three times the number from July. The ICO is deeply concerned by the sharp rise in these calls.

The automated calls typically come from a UK mobile number and often involve a recorded voice asking recipients to add the number on WhatsApp. Some messages mention an offer of part-time work. Simon Fell, from the Communications Crime Strategy Group, believes the scam is most likely a recruitment scam, potentially involving money muling or phishing exercises to gather information about who is picking up the calls.

Andy Curry, the ICO's head of criminal investigations, stated that the calls are likely coming from abroad and that the ICO is trying to identify those responsible and assess the impact on the public. The ICO estimates that millions of people might be receiving these messages, which appear to be indiscriminate.

Mobile companies are working on various fronts to combat the influx of automated calls, including reporting intelligence to the regulator Ofcom, collaborating with law enforcement, and liaising with Meta, the owner of WhatsApp. WhatsApp has features in place to protect users from scam calls, such as silencing calls from unknown numbers and banning malicious accounts. However, criminals often spoof these numbers, making them appear as if they are from a UK mobile line.

The government has promised to eliminate call spoofing within a year and is taking robust action to tackle scams.