The police warned of a fraud scam via WhatsApp.
A 72-year-old fell victim to the fraud.
What to watch out for to avoid falling for the grandchildren's trick.
Lindlar - "Hello Mama" - a WhatsApp message that a 72-year-old received from Lindlar on Sunday (June 13th) begins seemingly harmless.
The 72-year-old unknown number pretended to be her daughter and explained that this was her new number.
Her cell phone broke, so she now has a new and therefore a different number.
But what the 72-year-old did not know, it was not about her daughter, but a cheater.
Scam via WhatsApp: 72-year-old makes four-digit transfer
According to the police in the Oberbergischer Kreis, the woman initially fell for the scam: At the request of the alleged daughter, she transferred a four-digit amount. When the alleged daughter asked again for a transfer, the 72-year-old became suspicious and called her child on the landline. In doing so, she found that she was the victim of a fraud.
This new scam is reminiscent of the well-known grandchildren trick on the phone and usually works according to a similar scheme.
The victims receive a message via WhatsApp from an unknown number that allegedly hides their son or daughter.
The scammers explain the new number by stating that their old cell phone broke and that they therefore have a new and thus a new number.
The victims are then asked to transfer the money to their alleged child under the pretext of being in an emergency situation or not being able to meet a transfer deadline.
Grandchildren's trick on WhatsApp: you should pay attention to this
The police in the Oberbergischer Kreis warns of this new scam and advises you to inquire personally by other means if you are contacted from an unknown number.
For example, calling your son or daughter on a landline number they know can prevent you from falling for the scam.
In addition, you should avoid giving names or other details about relatives.
Because the criminals use this knowledge to slip into the role of the alleged child.
And most importantly, do not under any circumstances respond to requests for payment of money via messenger services.
The Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office warns of another WhatsApp scam: the code trick.
(jsch)
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