WHAT IS A WANGIRI SCAM?

This scam gets its name from the Japanese word ‘Wangiri’ which means ‘one hang-up’. You receive a phone call from an overseas number, which rings just once. If you return the call, you will hear an advertisement for a subscription to a premium chat line or internet service. You are charged a premium for this call.

In a variation of this scam, the scammer claims to be an official and leaves a voice message informing you there has been an emergency to which you must respond by calling back. The latest version involves WhatsApp messages with contact attachments, which if called back, charge a hefty fee.