Kenyans warned over missed international call scam

Kenyans warned over missed international call scam

The Communications Authority of Kenya has received reports of the reemergence of Wangiri, an international phone scam.

According to a Press statement, the congame is designed to lure phone users into returning the “urgent” international calls.

Victims receive very brief or missed calls from unknown international numbers and when they call back, they are unknowingly redirected to premium numbers that drain their airtime.

The longer the victims stay on the line, the more money they lose to the scammers. Post-paid subscribers are therefore likely to lose more money as they receive their bills at the end of the month.

Most of the calls reportedly bear international dialing codes from Switzerland (+41), Syria (+963), Somalia(+252) or Latvia(+37), among others.

It is alleged that the scammers purchase the phone numbers used in the scam from the dark web, a hidden part of the internet known for buying and selling illegal goods and services.

CAK is however advising the public to be cautious. “DO NOT CALL BACK any international number that you do not recognize. If you happen to already be a victim, REPORT THE NUMBER to your service provider so that they can block the numbers. This stops other users from becoming victims,” the statement reads.

The first report of the scam was registered in January 2018.

 

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Communications Authority of Kenya missed international call scam Wangiri

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