Did you also get a call from the international number on WhatsApp or someone giving you an offer for a job on WhatsApp? Users were annoyed by the call from unknown international numbers on WhatsApp and some are even getting it now. Several WhatsApp users reported WhatsApp calls from Ethiopia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, and several other countries.
Video call from an unknown number
We came across something similar when a user informed us about a video call from an unknown phone number on WhatsApp. It’s not the international number as it used to be earlier but an Indian phone number with +91. It started with a ‘Hy’ message and as soon as the user saw the message he started getting video calls on WhatsApp. Mistakenly user picked the first video call and saw nothing but a blurred screen suggesting the video was blocked from the other side. The user cut the call and again started getting calls from the fraud.
It would have been easier to ignore that fraud by simply blocking and reporting the phone number but it was not easy. As soon as the user blocked and reported the number another member of his family got a message from the same number. This was no doubt a scary moment but following the same sequence fraud tried to video call multiple times.
WhatsApp Fraudsters
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Why these frauds are making multiple video calls? How does it benefit them?
These kinds of questions must be coming to your mind. Its exact reason cannot be said because there are different groups and Nexus working from different countries and that’s too with different techniques. Something similar came to light when a 33-year-old Aijaz accepted a video call on WhatsApp from an unknown number. Aijaz told Boom that a dark screen appeared on the other side with occasional blinking. He was unaware of happening and quickly disconnected the call. The call lasted for 9 seconds.
That nine-second video call turned into horror when minutes later he received a video message from the same number. The video was of him but doctored with nude shots added to the footage. Aijaz was shocked to see the video and got a call from the same number demanding a payment of Rs 1 Lakh.
These frauds in most cases have been found showing no fear in messages for an FIR or report. Something similar happened with Aijaz when he threatened to file a case against the blackmailer, Aijaz told ” he said do whatever you can”. Cyber inspectors and agencies suggest blocking these frauds as an immediate response. Report these numbers as soon as you receive such messages and video calls so that Cyber Police can trace them back.
International calls, video calls, OTPs, lucky offer,s and coupons are some of the very common frauds of nowadays. Users need not be afraid of it but beware of it so that the internet and network do not become a scary place. The Tech Outlook will make sure to keep you aware of this fraudulent incident in order to not only make informed tech citizens but also tech-aware citizens.
