'Add me to WhatsApp' scam calls to be investigated

The UK's Information Commission's Office (ICO) is investigating a surge in complaints about automated calls that allegedly lead to recruitment scams. In September, the ICO received over 3,600 complaints about these robo calls, a five-year high and nearly three times the number from July. The ICO believes millions of people are receiving these calls and has advised people to ignore and report suspicious calls.

These automated messages often claim to offer part-time work and may lead to recruitment scams where criminals attempt to defraud victims by passing criminal funds through their accounts or engaging in phishing exercises. The ICO is working to identify those behind the calls and assess the impact on the public. Mobile companies are collaborating with law enforcement, regulators, and WhatsApp to combat the issue.

However, criminals often spoof UK mobile numbers to make the calls appear legitimate. The UK government has committed to eliminating call spoofing within a year and is taking robust action against scams.