UK Watchdog Investigates Surge in 'Add Me to WhatsApp' Scam Calls

The UK's data protection regulator is investigating a significant increase in automated phone calls, commonly known as "robo calls," which prompt recipients to add the caller on WhatsApp. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has received over 3,600 complaints about such calls in September, marking a five-year peak and a nearly threefold increase from July.

Officials from the ICO expressed deep concern about the sharp rise, suspecting that millions of people across the UK may be targeted by these calls. The automated messages often appear to originate from UK mobile numbers and sometimes mention offers of part-time employment. The ICO advises the public to disregard calls from unrecognized numbers and to report any suspicious calls to the watchdog.

Experts believe these calls are likely the precursor to a recruitment scam. Simon Fell of the Communications Crime Strategy Group, a telecoms industry body focused on combating fraud, suggested that such scams could involve directing individuals to fake job listings, potentially leading to money muling where criminals use bank accounts to launder illicit funds. He also noted the possibility of phishing operations, where criminals gather active contact information for sale on the dark web.

"The possibilities are endless," Fell stated. "At the end of the day this is a criminal that has reached out to you and they're trying to defraud you in some way shape or form."

The ICO estimates that the number of complaints received represents only a fraction of the total number of people affected, with potentially millions receiving these indiscriminate messages. Andy Curry, the ICO's head of criminal investigations, indicated that the calls are likely being made from abroad and that authorities are working to identify those responsible and understand the full impact.

Telecoms companies are reportedly working with law enforcement and Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, to address the influx of automated calls. Collaboration with Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, is also underway, as conversations on the encrypted platform cannot be easily investigated if a user engages with a scammer. WhatsApp has stated that it has features to protect users, such as silencing calls from unknown numbers, and that it bans millions of accounts annually for malicious activities.

These calls often use "spoofed" numbers, meaning the displayed number is not the true origin of the call. The UK government has committed to eliminating call spoofing within a year as part of broader efforts to combat scams.