Suspected overseas gangs target Britons with WhatsApp job scam calls
Millions of Britons are receiving robo calls from suspected overseas criminal gangs offering part-time work, before requesting to be added on WhatsApp. Once added, the number sends messages about "flexible opportunities" with good earnings, in what appears to be a recruitment scam targeting vulnerable job seekers.
The Information Commissioner's Office received 3,600 complaints in September – the highest monthly figure in five years and triple the July figure – though investigators suspect millions have actually received the calls. Authorities describe the scam as "largely indiscriminate" and are working with mobile companies, Ofcom, and Meta (WhatsApp's owner) to tackle the issue.
- Millions of Britons targeted by robo calls offering fake part-time work via WhatsApp.
- Complaints to ICO hit five-year high in September with 3,600 reports.
- Overseas gangs suspected; authorities believe actual victims number in millions.
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A job scam is a fraud in which criminals pretend to be legitimate employers offering work. This particular scam starts with phone calls from unknown numbers offering part-time jobs, after which the caller asks the recipient to add them as a contact on WhatsApp. Once connected, the scammers send messages about flexible work opportunities with good pay.
The scam appears to be run by criminal organisations based outside Britain, which makes it difficult for authorities to catch those responsible. Complaints to the Information Commissioner's Office have surged recently, with investigators believing millions of people have actually received these calls. The criminals appear to contact people indiscriminately rather than targeting specific individuals.
These scams are particularly damaging because they exploit people when they are vulnerable – actively seeking jobs and therefore more inclined to trust job offers. Authorities including Ofcom and Meta, which owns WhatsApp, are working with mobile phone companies to prevent the calls and stop the fraud. Understanding how the scam operates helps people spot and reject such approaches.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “‘Millions’ of Brits are swamped by robo calls where a voice offering part-time work asks to be added on WhatsApp as investigators blame foreign gangs”.