Have you heard about strange WhatsApp messages from a +852 area code phone number? Well, you need to be careful because they are not real! Scammers are sending fake messages from +63 phone numbers, and they might be trying to trick you.
What’s the Deal with the 852 Area Code Scam on WhatsApp?
Since 2021, more than a hundred people have complained about getting these scam messages. Before, the scammers pretended to be Japanese girls in Hong Kong. But now, they’re pretending to be crypto traders or gold experts. But how does this scam work?
How Does the +852 Country Code WhatsApp Scam from Hong Kong Work?
The scammers usually start by reaching out on WhatsApp or even Tinder. They pretend to be women and say they have a business in cosmetics or crypto. They might even want to expand their business to your city. But there are some red flags. They often have poor English skills, and they won’t agree to a video call.
One Person’s Experience with the Scam:
Imagine getting a message from a pretty girl with a +852 area code number on WhatsApp. Here’s what happened to someone:
- The girl invited them to go out.
- They asked where they were meeting.
- Suddenly, the girl said she had the wrong number.
But the conversation continued on Telegram for hours. The girl claimed to live in Australia, just like the person receiving the messages. They talked about meeting for coffee when she came back to Australia. She seemed nice, but remember, this is a scam!
What Happens if You Keep Chatting with Them?
If you keep talking to them, they might try to get you to invest in a shady crypto website. If you say no, they could promise to visit your country. But that’s also part of the scam. You might get a call from someone pretending to be from the airport. They’ll say your guest brought something for you, but they can’t deliver it unless you send money. If you send the money, you won’t get anything in return because it’s all a scam from the beginning.
What to Do if You Receive a +852 Area Code WhatsApp Scam Text?
If you get one of these messages, here’s what you should do:
- Delete the message right away because it’s clearly a scam.
- Tell your family and friends to watch out for these messages too.
- Report the scam using these methods:
- Copy the message and send it to 7726 (SPAM) to help your wireless provider block similar messages.
- Report it on the messaging app you use.
- Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
And if you ever come across scams or suspicious websites, you can also report them to [email protected].
Stay safe and keep an eye out for these scams!