UK data watchdog investigates surge in 'add me to WhatsApp' robo-calls

Centre · 1The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating a spike in complaints about automated "robo calls" in which a recorded voice asks people to add a number on WhatsApp, which are suspected to lead to a recruitment scam. 1 Mixed · 2The ICO received more than 3,600 complaints about automated calls in September, a five-year high and nearly three times the number in July, according to the BBC; the Daily Mail also reports the highest rate in five years and triple July's figure. 1 2 Mixed · 2Andy Curry, the ICO's head of criminal investigations, said he believed the calls were coming from abroad and that the ICO is trying to find who is behind them, why, and the impact on the public. 1 3

Mixed · 2Curry said the ICO thinks probably millions of people are receiving the messages, which appear largely indiscriminate, and that the complaints are likely the "tip of the iceberg". 1 3 Centre · 1The calls typically appear to come from a UK mobile number, and some recordings mention an offer of part-time work. Simon Fell of the Communications Crime Strategy Group, a telecoms industry body, said the numbers are likely spoofed. 1 Right · 1The Daily Mail reported that when the ICO added one of the calling numbers on WhatsApp it received a message reading: 'Hi! We're offering a flexible part-time opportunity that you can do in your spare time.' 2

Centre · 1Fell said he had not followed up the messages so could not be sure of the scam's form, but it would most likely be a recruitment scam, possibly involving money muling through a fake job listing, or phishing to identify active numbers whose details could be resold. 1 Mixed · 2The Daily Mail said in its own voice that criminal gangs are using the ruse to harvest victims' phone numbers and possibly bank details; the BBC said Fell had not followed up the messages himself. 2 1 Mixed · 2The ICO advises people to ignore calls from unrecognised numbers, and to block and report suspicious calls. Metro also quoted Ofcom guidance to hang up, give no personal details and report to 7726, and Ofcom's Will Pinkney saying scammers are likely abroad and spoofing UK numbers. 1 3

Centre · 1Fell said mobile companies are working on several fronts, including intelligence reports to Ofcom, work with law enforcement and liaison with Meta, as conversations on WhatsApp's encrypted platform cannot be investigated further. 1 Centre · 1A WhatsApp spokesman said it has protections such as silencing calls from unknown numbers and bans millions of accounts a year for malicious behaviour. A Home Office spokesman said the government was taking "robust action" and remains committed to delivering the Telecommunications Charter by November; the government had promised last November to eliminate call spoofing within a year. 1