‘Add Me on WhatsApp’ Scam Calls Under Investigation After Complaints Soar

The UK’s data protection watchdog is investigating a sharp rise in automated phone calls urging people to add an unknown number on WhatsApp, amid concerns that the messages could be linked to recruitment scams and other forms of fraud.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) received more than 3,600 complaints about automated calls in September, the highest monthly total in five years and almost three times the number recorded in July.

However, investigators believe the complaints represent only a fraction of the people affected, with potentially millions receiving the calls.

The recorded messages typically come from numbers that appear to be UK mobile phones. Some invite recipients to explore flexible, part-time work opportunities and instruct them to continue the conversation on WhatsApp.

How does the scam work?

The precise purpose of every call remains unclear, but experts warn that responding could expose people to several potential risks.

Simon Fell, from the Communications Crime Strategy Group, a telecommunications industry body focused on tackling fraud, said the messages were most likely connected to recruitment scams.

Victims could be directed towards fake job advertisements or persuaded to participate in activities involving money laundering, sometimes known as money muling. This can involve criminals using another person's bank account to move illicit funds, potentially exposing that person to serious consequences.

Another possibility is that the calls are being used to identify active phone numbers and establish which people respond to unsolicited contact. That information could then be exploited or sold to other criminals.

The ICO's head of criminal investigations, Andy Curry, said the watchdog was working to establish who was behind the calls, why they were being made and what impact they were having on the public.

He warned that the number of complaints received was likely to be only “the tip of the iceberg”.

Why are the calls difficult to trace?

Although the calls often appear to originate from UK mobile numbers, telecommunications experts say criminals may be using number spoofing to disguise where the calls are really coming from.

The industry is working with law enforcement, communications regulator Ofcom and Meta, which owns WhatsApp, to tackle the problem.

Moving a conversation to WhatsApp can create additional challenges for investigators because the service uses end-to-end encryption, meaning the contents of messages and calls are not ordinarily accessible to the platform itself.

WhatsApp said it provides safety features, including the option to silence calls from unknown numbers, and bans millions of accounts each year for malicious behaviour such as bulk account registration and automated messaging.

The government has also pledged action against caller ID spoofing through its Telecommunications Charter, with a commitment to work with the industry towards its stated November deadline.

How to protect yourself

The ICO advises people to be cautious when receiving unexpected calls, particularly those inviting them to continue a conversation on a messaging service or promising easy money.

• Do not respond to suspicious calls or messages from unknown numbers.

• Do not share personal or financial information with unverified contacts.

• Do not transfer money or allow an unfamiliar employer to use your bank account to receive or move funds.

• Block the number and report suspicious calls to the ICO.

• Consider using WhatsApp’s privacy and security settings, including the option to silence calls from unknown numbers.

A genuine job opportunity should not require you to move money for strangers or provide sensitive financial information before the employer has been properly verified.

The Daily Round-Up says

The rise in these calls is a reminder that scams do not always begin with a suspicious email or a link in a text message. Sometimes, they start with a recorded voice and a seemingly harmless request to make contact on WhatsApp.

Not every unsolicited call will lead to the same type of fraud, and investigators are still working to establish the full picture. Nevertheless, people should treat unexpected job offers and requests to move conversations to private messaging platforms with caution.

If you receive an unexpected “Add me on WhatsApp” call, think before you respond. A few seconds of caution could help protect your money, your personal information and your identity.