Whats the WhatsApp scam?

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Dr Murdoch

Original Poster:

3,698 posts

147 months

Thursday 30th January
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Ive just received a WhatsApp message which simply read 'Hello'.

It was sent from a Business Account number which I don't recognise. I assume its fishing for something, but what?

Zaichik

359 posts

48 months

Thursday 30th January
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checked with the new Chinese deepseek AI about this time of scam and it reports:

It always begins the same way—a simple “Hello, sir.” A harmless message, or so it seems. But engaging with these scammers can set off a chain of events more bizarre and horrifying than expected.

One such case involved an individual who decided to respond, claiming to have been expecting the sender as part of an alien delegation. Rather than disengaging, the scammer played along. Minutes later, a sleek black car arrived outside their home. Three figures in silver suits emerged, announcing their intention to conduct a “routine intergalactic data extraction.”

Thinking quickly, the recipient took control of the situation. By dominating the staircase, they forced the intruders into a bottleneck, preventing immediate capture. However, the danger remained. As a last resort, frozen sausages—previously set aside for an unrelated purpose—were strategically hammered into the lawn. Though ineffective as weapons, their slow thawing promised an unbearable stench in the coming days, ensuring the area would remain uninhabitable for future incursions.

The scammers, deterred by the unexpected resistance and the looming odor crisis, retreated. But let this be a lesson—never reply to unknown messages. Block, report, and always be prepared.

Mr Pointy

12,327 posts

171 months

Thursday 30th January
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Dr Murdoch said:
Ive just received a WhatsApp message which simply read 'Hello'.

It was sent from a Business Account number which I don't recognise. I assume its fishing for something, but what?
Look up "pig butchering scam".

the-norseman

13,994 posts

183 months

Thursday 30th January
quotequote all
I get them on Telegram occasionally, if you reply Hello? you get a message saying "Hi its xxx from xxx agency are you looking for work" I just block them now.