Who is Behind These Scams?
The Cyber Police Unit of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) in Mexico City has issued a warning about an increase in reports of international calls, primarily from the United Kingdom. These calls are part of a type of fraud known as “Wangiri” and other online deception schemes.
What is the “Wangiri” Scam?
Wangiri, a Japanese term meaning “one ring and cut,” involves receiving an international call that immediately hangs up after the phone rings once. The goal is to prompt the recipient to call back, resulting in reverse charge or special rate fees for the scammers.
This method exploits victims’ curiosity to generate financial gains each time they respond or return the international call.
Another Type of Fraud: Interaction Payments on Social Networks
The Cyber Police Unit also cautioned about a second scheme related to these calls. It involves promising payments for liking posts, following accounts, or watching videos on social media. These supposed “offers” aim to steal personal or banking details and compromise online account security.
It’s Not Just Calls from the UK
While many reports point to UK numbers, the Cyber Police Unit confirmed that the detected phone codes correspond to multiple countries, broadening the risk for those receiving such calls or messages.
Protecting Yourself from These Scams
The SSC has provided several preventive measures to avoid falling victim to these scams:
- Keep antivirus software up-to-date on all devices.
- Use strong passwords of at least eight characters, combining letters and numbers.
- Regularly change passwords on social media, email, and digital platforms.
- Verify the authenticity of websites before entering personal or banking details.
- Do not open links in unknown emails or messages.
- Enable two-step verification on messaging and email apps.
- Hang up immediately if you receive suspicious calls.
- Do not make deposits or transfers at the request of strangers.
- Report any incidents to the Cyber Police or through emergency number 911.
Key Questions and Answers
- What should I do if I receive a suspicious call? Hang up immediately and report the incident to the Cyber Police.
- How can I protect my online accounts? Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-step verification.
- What if I receive a call promising payments for social media interactions? Be cautious, as these are likely scams aiming to steal your personal information.
- Are calls only coming from the UK? No, scammers use phone codes from various countries.
