In the last few days there have been increasing reports of dubious calls via WhatsApp, which are primarily characterized by the area code +91 (India). Users from Germany are increasingly reporting unknown callers whose profile pictures often show families, children or women. What's noticeable is that as soon as the call is accepted, the callers hang up. This development has not only caused a stir on social networks and forums such as Reddit, but is also calling on cybersecurity experts to look behind the scenes of this scam.
The technology behind the calls from India
Cybersecurity expert Manuel Atug of HiSolutions offers insights into the possible intentions behind these calls. Contrary to the first assumption that these could be so-called ping calls that are intended to lead to expensive callbacks, this theory makes no sense with WhatsApp. Unlike traditional telephone calls, there are no direct telecommunications fees. Instead, Atug suspects that these calls follow similar scams aimed at getting those called to transfer money or provide personal information. The scammers use the calls to identify potential victims who are “stupid enough” to call back. This streamlined approach allows fraudsters to use their resources more efficiently by targeting people who already demonstrate a certain level of openness to communication.
The risks and how to protect yourself
Once a relationship of trust has been established, the possibilities for fraudsters are diverse: from accessing online banking and insurance to adopting two-factor authentication. Atug emphasizes that the danger lies not only in the direct interaction with the fraudsters, but also in the potential exploitation of security holes in WhatsApp or the smartphone's operating system. To protect yourself, Atug advises not to answer or call back unknown numbers, especially foreign ones, and then to block and report them immediately.
Preventive action
In addition to directly blocking and reporting dubious numbers on WhatsApp, there is the option to generally mute unknown callers. This setting can be found in the messenger's privacy menu. For data protection reasons, Atug itself recommends using alternative messenger services such as Signal or Threema, which could promise more secure communication outside of the mainstream.
Questions and answers about WhatsApp scams from India
Question 1: What is the intention behind the WhatsApp calls with the +91 (India) area code?
Answer 1: The calls are aimed at identifying potential victims of scams designed to entice money transfers or the disclosure of personal information.
Question 2: Why doesn't the theory of ping calls on WhatsApp make sense?
Answer 2: WhatsApp does not charge any direct telecommunications fees, so it is unlikely that you will end up with an expensive callback.
Question 3: How can you protect yourself from such fraud attempts?
Answer 3: You should neither answer nor call back unknown and foreign numbers (like here from India) and should block and report them directly in WhatsApp.
Question 4: What allows fraudsters to gain access to personal information?
Answer 4: Establishing a relationship of trust and exploiting security vulnerabilities are key ways fraudsters can gain access.
Question 5: Are alternative messenger services safer than WhatsApp?
Answer 5: Services like Signal or Threema could be safer from fraud attempts due to lower user numbers and a greater focus on data protection.
Conclusion
The wave of dubious WhatsApp calls with the +91 (India) area code is an alarming example of the constant evolution of scams in the digital age. The calls serve as a kind of filter to identify people for further fraud attempts. It is important to be aware of the risks and take preventive measures such as blocking unknown numbers and avoiding unnecessary callbacks. Additionally, considering alternative messenger services can be an additional step toward staying safer in the digital world.
Stay informed and actively protect yourself from attempted fraud by remaining skeptical of unknown callers and taking data protection practices seriously. Get involved for more information through the Mimikama newsletter and participate in our online lectures and workshops at: Online Lecture .
Source: rnd.de
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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 )