Wangiri Scam

WHAT IS A Wangiri Scam?

This scam gets its name from the Japanese word Wangiri — 'wan' means 'one' and 'giri' means 'hang-up'. Victims receive a phone call from an overseas number, which rings just once. If they return the call, they will hear an advertisement for a subscription to a premium chat line or internet services. Victims are charged a premium for this call.

In another variation of this scam, the caller, claiming to be an official, leaves a voice message informing the victim that there has been an emergency to which they must respond by calling them back. The latest version involves WhatsApp messages with contact attachments. Victims incur a hefty fee when they call that contact.

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  • Calls from unknown overseas numbers that only ring once. Sometimes, these numbers are just slightly different from each other. This could indicate a bank of automated machines making random calls
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  • Do not return the call
  • Look up numbers on the internet to check for reports of scams from that number
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What you should look out for

  • Calls from unknown overseas numbers that only ring once. Sometimes, these numbers are just slightly different from each other. This could indicate a bank of automated machines making random calls
Read More

What you should do

  • Do not return the call
  • Look up numbers on the internet to check for reports of scams from that number
Read More

RELATED SCAM STORIES

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01 Aug 2018

Since 1st August 2018, i am getting numerous calls from this +370 numbers

Since 1st August 2018, i am getting numerous calls from this +370 numbers . I have not pick up or called this number because its checked coming from Lithuania country which never makes sense since i don't…...

15 Mar 2018

I missed the call and thought that it was a local number, only to know that it might be a possible scam call after hearing a cut off tone when i returned the call

I missed the call and thought that it was a local number, only to know that it might be a possible scam call after hearing a cut off tone when i returned the call. This morning, my mum received a similar…...

14 Mar 2018

I received a call from 62788112 on my mobile

I received a call from 62788112 on my mobile. The caller was quiet then just say "Postman, Postman". I went out to check but nobody was outside my door. Anyway, it didn't cross my mind how can a postman…...

12 Jan 2018

Receiving calls recently from the number +41799779623 originating from switzerland, suspect it could be related to Wangiri scam

Receiving calls recently from the number +41799779623 originating from switzerland, suspect it could be related to Wangiri scam. Usually is a missed call, but if attend i hear automated voice of a lady…...

15 Dec 2016

I have received a miss call and a VM from +65 68543000

I have received a miss call and a VM from +65 68543000. When i checked my VM box, it is an automated-voice message asking me to return call to the same number. The message says "I have a urgent message…...

28 Nov 2016

Since 21 Nov 2016, I have received missed calls from Canada

Since 21 Nov 2016, I have received missed calls from Canada. Since I have no relatives, friends or colleagues in that country, I did not pick up the call. And the calls were usually Singapore 4-6pm which…...

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