– Growing incidents of missed calls from international numbers on WhatsApp in India
– Scammers enticing victims with “work from home” opportunities involving online tasks
– Escalating fraud leading to financial losses for unsuspecting individuals

1. Deceptive “Work from Home” Scam

– Victims are lured by promising remote jobs related to product endorsements or liking online content
– Initial engagement appears legitimate, but it quickly evolves into a fraudulent scheme
– Scammers exploit victims by defrauding them of their money and personal information

2. Government’s Response and Notice to WhatsApp

– Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, acknowledges the scam and plans to issue a notice to WhatsApp
– Seeking clarification on WhatsApp’s user sign-up mechanism and verification process
– Intent to address any loopholes that may enable scammers to use cloned mobile numbers

3. Strengthening AI and Machine Learning Systems

– WhatsApp claims to have enhanced its AI and machine learning systems to combat spam calls
– Aims to reduce spam calls by 50% through technological advancements

4. Collaborative Efforts and Blocking Cloned Numbers

– IT Ministry and Telecom Department collaborate to block platforms generating cloned mobile numbers
– Ensuring accountability for platforms like WhatsApp that allow the use of fake mobile numbers
– Focus on eliminating the possibility of signing up on platforms with fraudulent or cloned numbers

5. Scammer Tactics and Victim Exploitation

– Scammers target individuals through missed calls on WhatsApp
– Promises of monetary rewards for tasks like YouTube video likes or positive Google reviews
– Initial payments are made to gain trust, followed by inviting victims to join a group on platforms like Telegram
– Encouraging victims to invest small amounts with the promise of significant returns, but ultimately blocking them from the group after substantial investments

Our take:-
– The rise in WhatsApp missed call scams highlights the need for vigilance and awareness among users
– Government initiatives to address the issue, coupled with WhatsApp’s technological advancements, aim to reduce such fraudulent activities
– Public education and collaboration between government, telecom regulators, and messaging platforms are crucial in combating scams and protecting individuals from financial fraud.

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