Cybercrime never rests, and citizens should not let their guard down, even on days off. Scammers exploit quiet moments to lure people into increasingly tangled traps, and they push the boundaries with more sophisticated schemes that shape how people use their devices.
Authorities are fully aware of this risk, with the National Police consistently reporting the various scam types and advising the public on how to respond. A positive note is that they spread awareness through social networks, reaching a broad audience quickly.
The “mystery call” scam
This week, security forces highlighted a new method crafted by cybercriminals who bring imagination and creativity to their deception. It centers on the “mystery call,” a tactic many people have already encountered.
They issued the warning via a video on the National Police TikTok account, where a spokesperson asks, “Have you received a call like this?” A mysterious voice replies, “I have something important to tell you, add me on WhatsApp.”
Immediately after saying that, the call is dropped. The aim is to provoke concern and prompt the person to add the number, exploiting curiosity that can be costly.
How they can get your data via WhatsApp
Many users wonder whether simply adding the number to their contacts could grant access to data, to which the police clarify that this is not the case. The risk escalates when a conversation begins on the messaging app.
“From there, they will try to coax you. And, honestly, they are master deceivers,” the National Police emphasize, noting that the chat’s objective is to obtain private data or money.
But why use WhatsApp? Why not just call directly? Because if they can get you to add them on WhatsApp first, they can bypass the app’s anti-spam filters that are less strict for known contacts, increasing the odds that the scam goes undetected.
More cases
This new cyberattack is reaching many people. Recently a victim described the experience on X (formerly Twitter), aligning the modus operandi with what the police reported.
This user adds the possibility of identity impersonation, increasingly perfected with artificial intelligence. The scam involves cloning the voice of a friend or family member, making you believe that person calls with an urgent issue that can be resolved by adding that new number to WhatsApp, followed by a tale that pushes you to click a link sent during the chat.
Tips to avoid falling for it
If the voice on the call sounds like a family member or friend, the best approach is to contact that person directly to confirm what is happening. If you have already added a contact under these circumstances, the prudent move is to block the number on both WhatsApp and the phone’s contacts.