An unknown number writes to you on WhatsApp - supposedly your daughter or son. This is the new phone number. The old cell phone is broken. After a short exchange you will be asked for help. Apparently a bill urgently needs to be paid. Your supposed child promises you to give the money back immediately. Be careful: you are writing to criminals. Don't transfer!
How does the scam work?
You receive a message on WhatsApp - supposedly from your child. You will be informed that your child has a new phone number and the old cell phone is broken. Below are examples:
"Hi Papa. My phone is broken. This is my new number."
"Good morning mum. My cell phone broke in the bathroom. I have an old cell phone and a new number. You can delete my old number and save it.”
“Hi mom, this is my new number. My cell phone no longer turns on. You can reach me at this number.”

They write back and chat briefly. You will then be asked to transfer money to your “child”. An invoice is urgently due.
If you agree, you will receive the account details. In a recent case, €2932.45 was supposed to be transferred to an account in Lithuania. If you accept this, you will be asked for money again some time later.
Here's how to find out if it's really your son or daughter!
- Call your child on their usual phone number and ask if they actually have a new number. Does no one pick up even though you have just texted? Suspicious!
- You will be asked to make a transfer abroad.
- Your child writes differently than usual.
- No one ever picks up the new phone number. Your “child” always has an excuse ready as to why he or she can’t pick up the phone.
- Ask questions that your child can now answer.
Have you been scammed?
- Contact your bank immediately. It may be possible to get the money back. Don't waste time, the faster you act, the better your chances are.
- Take screenshots and file a police report .
- Report the fraudulent WhatsApp contact.
Source: Watchlist Internet
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

