"In the digital world, even silence can be dangerous — sometimes, the call you didn’t return is the trap."
🖊️ By Shubhra • 13th August 2025 • Cybercrime Awareness & Safety
☕ A Morning Like Any Other…
It was a quiet Sunday morning.
Ritika, a 28-year-old freelance designer, had just settled with her cup of coffee when her phone buzzed.
One WhatsApp missed call.
The number looked strange — starting with +63, a country code she didn’t recognize. She shrugged, thinking it might be a client from abroad. Out of curiosity, she returned the call.
Within minutes, her WhatsApp crashed. The next time she tried to log in, the app asked for a verification code she never requested. Moments later, her friends started receiving messages from “her” — asking for urgent money transfers.
By the time Ritika regained access, the scammer had tried to con 15 of her contacts.
🔍 What Exactly Is the WhatsApp Missed Call Scam?
The WhatsApp Missed Call Scam is a social engineering + tech manipulation fraud.
Here’s how it usually works:
- You receive a missed WhatsApp call from an unknown international number — often from country codes like +62 (Indonesia), +63 (Philippines), +60 (Malaysia), +254 (Kenya), etc.
- If you call back or answer, the scammer tricks you into doing something that compromises your account — for example:
- Asking you to dial a number or enter a code.
- Sending you a link that installs malware.
- Getting your 6-digit WhatsApp verification code through voice phishing.
Once they have your verification code, they take over your WhatsApp account and impersonate you to scam your contacts.
⚙️ How the Scam Works — Step by Step
- Initial Contact — Scammers target random numbers, often buying leaked phone databases.
- Missed Call Bait — They intentionally hang up quickly to make you curious.
- Callback Trap — If you call back, they engage you in conversation or direct you to take an action that compromises your account.
- Account Takeover — Using social engineering, malware, or OTP theft, they gain control of your WhatsApp.
- Impersonation & Fraud — They send urgent messages to your contacts, pretending you need help or offering “investment opportunities.”
📂 Recent Real-Life Cases
1️⃣ Panchkula Digital Arrest Scam — ₹23.71 Lakh Lost
A 75-year-old retired chief engineer from Nagpur received WhatsApp calls from fraudsters posing as police and ED officers. They claimed he was linked to money laundering and coerced him into transferring ₹23.71 lakh. Police recovered ₹19.90 lakh and arrested a suspect. (TOI)
2️⃣ WhatsApp CEO Fraud — ₹1.94 Crore Transferred
A Hyderabad company’s CFO was duped after scammers impersonated the company’s MD on WhatsApp. Believing the messages were genuine, the CFO transferred ₹1.94 crore. Quick police action led to ₹84 lakh recovery and ₹15 lakh frozen. (Economic Times)
3️⃣ Mysuru Senior Citizens Duped — Nearly ₹2 Crore Lost
Two elderly women in Mysuru fell prey to a WhatsApp video scam, where scammers pretended to be Mumbai police. They threatened the women with fabricated legal charges and extracted ₹1.92 crore in “settlement” payments. (TOI)
4️⃣ Greenko Group Impersonation — ₹2.7 Crore Scam
Fraudsters impersonated Greenko Group’s MD on WhatsApp, tricking employees into transferring ₹2.7 crore in two transactions. The fake profile used his real photo to create trust. (TOI)
🚩 Warning Signs
- Missed WhatsApp calls from unknown international numbers.
- Messages or calls asking you to share your OTP or “verify” your account.
- Urgent requests for money from friends or family over WhatsApp.
- Suspicious or shortened links (bit.ly, tinyurl, etc.).
- Sudden logout from WhatsApp without your action.
🛡️ How to Detect & Prevent the WhatsApp Missed Call Scam
1. Don’t Return Unknown International Calls
If you don’t recognize the country code, ignore it.
2. Enable Two-Step Verification
WhatsApp → Settings → Account → Two-step verification → Enable.
3. Never Share Your OTP
Even WhatsApp support will never ask for it.
4. Educate Your Contacts
Tell friends and family to verify separately before sending money.
5. Check the Number Before Answering
Google the country code or search for scam reports.
🧠 Why Do People Fall for It?
- Curiosity — “Who could be calling me from abroad?”
- Urgency — Scammers create fake emergencies to make you act fast.
- Trust in Known Contacts — Once they hijack your account, people believe it’s really you.
🔐 Safety Checklist
✅ Keep WhatsApp updated
✅ Enable two-step verification with a strong PIN
✅ Block & report suspicious numbers
✅ Avoid clicking unknown links
✅ Educate elderly relatives about such scams
✅ If hacked — re-register immediately & alert your contacts
💭 Final Thoughts
The WhatsApp Missed Call Scam is a perfect example of how cybercriminals exploit curiosity and trust.
A single returned call can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and emotional stress.
If you don’t know the number, don’t pick up the call — especially on WhatsApp.
✍️ Author’s Note
Cybercriminals adapt quickly, but collective awareness spreads faster when knowledge is shared openly. This post is part of my ongoing mission to create accessible cybersecurity education for the public.
Stay cautious. Stay informed. And remember — when in doubt, don’t call back.
— Shubhra (Cybersecurity Enthusiast)
🔐 Stay aware. Stay skeptical. Stay safe.
🗣️ Discussion Prompt
💬 Have you or someone you know ever received a suspicious WhatsApp call?
Share your experience in the comments — it could save someone’s account.
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