More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
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More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
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Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#2"The fraudsters also registered nearly 100 phone numbers using false identities."
Is it really a WhatsApp scheme? I thought the purpose of phone numbers now is to tie them to an actual person.
Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#3"The fraudsters also registered nearly 100 phone numbers using false identities." Is it really a WhatsApp scheme? I thought the purpose of phone numbers now is to tie them to an actual person.
you would think, but apparently anyone can now download an app called "talkatone" that gives you a free phone number to make calls and send texts with
Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#4"The fraudsters also registered nearly 100 phone numbers using false identities." Is it really a WhatsApp scheme? I thought the purpose of phone numbers now is to tie them to an actual person.
you would think, but apparently anyone can now download an app called "talkatone" that gives you a free phone number to make calls and send texts with
It would be nice if we had tracert for phones. So you can see the route through which someone calls and what platforms/orgs.
Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#5Earlier quoted context omitted.
you would think, but apparently anyone can now download an app called "talkatone" that gives you a free phone number to make calls and send texts with
It would be nice if we had tracert for phones. So you can see the route through which someone calls and what platforms/orgs.
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Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#6It’s hard to understand how someone could fall for this scam… if a loved one was having an emergency of some kind I would expect them to call rather than text, and I would respond with a call either way to discuss the details.
I’m also generally leery of people “urgently needing money.” It seems like something a scammer would do, and I couldn’t see any of my family members doing it. Maybe I’m a jerk, but I’d be more likely to offer a lecture on financial responsibility than a quick money transfer.
Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#7My mother fell for exactly this scam, thankfully was able to cancel the transaction just in time and gave evidence to the police. Funny to see on HN something that touches one so close.
The most fascinating thing here is the lack of sophistication of the approach. No fake images or audio or anything.
I'm worried about the new wave of impersonation scams that's coming thanks to voice cloning.
Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#8It’s hard to understand how someone could fall for this scam… if a loved one was having an emergency of some kind I would expect them to call rather than text, and I would respond with a call either way to discuss the details. I’m also generally leery of people “urgently needing money.” It seems like something a scammer would do, and I couldn’t see any of my family members doing it. Maybe I’m a jerk, but I’d be more…
Here's how it works, in scams and high pressure sales:
1. Victim suspects scam
2. Victim recognizes the presence of predator.
3. Victim gets scared.
4. Victim tried to maintain composure, but can't think of a way to escape the situation without the predator pursuing.
5. Victim appeases predator because they fear all the terrible things this predator might do, as the predator has no morality and the victim's civilization has collapsed around them.
These predators are violating the deepest social contract. They are acting like brilliant, vicious animals. They deserve to be treated like such, yet they are cloaked in the protection of civilized society. They are a cancer on humanity.
Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
you would think, but apparently anyone can now download an app called "talkatone" that gives you a free phone number to make calls and send texts with
It would be nice if we had tracert for phones. So you can see the route through which someone calls and what platforms/orgs.
Intelligence agencies around the world have collectively spent many, many billions on trying to achieve exactly that.
Then again, full mandatory deanonymisation wouldn't be required to just let people unsubscribe from calls from numbers aren't "genuine" in some way. There's a middle ground before "block all unknown numbers" that still lets the doctor's office call me.
Re: More than 100 arrested in Spain in $900k WhatsApp scheme
#10It’s hard to understand how someone could fall for this scam… if a loved one was having an emergency of some kind I would expect them to call rather than text, and I would respond with a call either way to discuss the details. I’m also generally leery of people “urgently needing money.” It seems like something a scammer would do, and I couldn’t see any of my family members doing it. Maybe I’m a jerk, but I’d be more…
The scam has a similar phone version, with a signature "Hey , it's me" first contact to get the victim to fill in the details on who's calling. A good enough scammer can explain away a lot of the red flags (why it's coming from an unknown number etc.)
And of course it doesn't require a 100% success rate, they'll call number until hitting a jackpot.