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You get one Notification on Whatsapp, and when you open it you find yourself in front of a message from an unknown number with prefix 91 which reads "Hi, can I talk to you for a moment?“. We imagine that this is an experience that has happened to many people in recent times: in fact, it is the new scam targeting virtually anyone who uses the popular messaging app.
Let's see what it is, how to avoid problems, and what to do in case you make a mistake and are actually scammed.
How does the 91 prefix scam work on Whatsapp?
Un friendly message and seemingly harmless on Whatsapp with a simple “hi” from a number with India prefix (91) is the how it all begins. If the unfortunate person answers, the ongoing conversation with gods pre-programmed messages. These messages have the aim to lure you, with different purposes:
- Investment proposals o job offers: you might get it proposed an investment super convenient and not to be missed, probably in cryptocurrency. They might ctrying to convince you to move to Telegram, to continue the conversation there or to make the immediate payment. It may also happen that you are offered a job for which they will need your data. If you make the mistake of falling for it and sharing it, they can use it for various purposes, from identity theft to stealing money from your accounts;
- Romance scams: we are trying to lure the victim into a fake romantic relationship, extorting money under the guise of “gifts” and great displays of love;
- SEXTORTION: you may be drawn into a conversation that leads to a sexual flirt, which will require you to share of your private images. At that point, the scammers they will have material to be able to extort money from you, with the threat of spreading them if you don't do what they want.
Who are the scammers?
La Postal Police discovered that behind these scams there are real ones international criminal organizations. They mainly operate from countries such as Nigeria o Ivory Coast, hoping to find a victim who is in a moment of emotional fragility and difficulty so as to make him fall into his trap. Also your numbers, of course, they were obtained illegally: scammers almost never have your number for direct contact, in most cases they do it buy from the Dark Web or corrupt databases and they hack.
How to avoid or deal with the scam
If you receive a message like this and you don't want to fall for the scam, you actually have to do some very simple things. First of all, don't open the chat e don't answer in any way. Secondly, just stick to block e report the chat, so that Whatsapp management is informed that the scam continues.
If you make the mistake of engaging in conversation with scammers and it comes to extortion of money or other cases like those described above, the procedure is more complicated. Obviously you will still have to block e report contact, but you will also have to go to the Postal Police. This way you can file a complaint, and you will receive the necessary assistance to try to avoid further harm or to regain what has been stolen from you.
Please note:, then: Don't trust messages from strangers on Whatsapp, even if they seem friendly and harmless!