The UK's data watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), is investigating an alarming increase in complaints regarding "robo calls" that prompt recipients to add unknown numbers on WhatsApp. This spike, noted in September 2023, has raised concerns about potential recruitment scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.
Surge in Automated Calls
In September alone, the ICO received over 3,600 complaints about these automated calls, marking a five-year high and nearly tripling the number recorded in July. The ICO suspects that millions of people are affected by these calls, many of which originate from what appear to be UK mobile numbers.
Simon Fell, representing the Communications Crime Strategy Group, indicated that many of these calls could be part of a recruitment scam. "They would either put you through to a fake job listing, which might involve some form of money muling," he explained. "It could look like a completely legitimate job... but they might pass criminal funds through your account, leading to dire consequences."
Understanding the Risks
These scam calls often feature recorded messages that include offers for part-time work. According to the ICO, the nature of these calls is largely indiscriminate, affecting a wide swath of the population. "We think there are probably millions of people who are receiving these messages," said Andy Curry, the ICO's head of criminal investigations. He emphasized the need for public awareness and caution.
