Alert! WhatsApp Wangiri Fraud Emerges In SA

Wangiri telephone fraud has hit SA and although it’s not a new scam this time it’s targeted at cell phone users on whatsapp. Wangiri is Japanese for “one and cut” which explains how the perpetrators randomly dials a number and hangs up after one ring.

As the scammer dials random number which is done automatically rather than manually for maximum speed, they hang up after one ring and it records as a mixed call on the victim’s phone. Users then call back to an international number believing it was legitimate which can incur costs, not knowing the numbers are premium rated. Users may also be spammed with automated advertising messages when they return these calls.

And for those who use whatsapp, they receive random messages with a contact attachment. However the contact number is different from the number the message originated from. Calling the number back will cost you money. Whatsapp users are warned to be on the lookout for these messages and not return the calls as asked.