Beware of Wangiri Fraud, Recognize the Signs!

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia –The public is faced with numerous online fraud schemes. As these schemes continue to evolve, the public must be more vigilant.

One such scam is the Wangiri Fraud. This scam was popular in Japan in the 2000s and went viral in Indonesia in 2018.

Wangiri is a scam that will send a missed call to its victims. This is done to encourage them to call the scammer back.

An article from Global Telco Consult explains that this scam uses networks and hardware, namely autodialers and premium rate service (RPS) numbers. These dialers can make thousands of calls simultaneously.

However, the automated calls are designed to last only a short time to entice potential victims to call back the scam number.

The number used is usually from abroad. However, the phone number is not the provided number and will be made to appear to be a real one.

One of the impacts of Wangiri fraud is financial. Fraudsters usually drain the credit of victims who call back.

Here’s the scam scheme, as summarized by Global Telco Consult:

The scammers will make phone calls to multiple numbers in various regions. To attract attention, they will use SMS messages asking the number owner to call back.

Curious recipients will call the unknown number. However, they don’t realize they’re calling a premium rate or international number with a high per-minute fee.

The victim will be put on the line for a long time. The perpetrators will play a recorded message or music to make it seem like the call will be connected soon. The victim will be charged for the call, which will benefit the fraudster.

They share revenue with the operator that owns the premium rate number. Victims usually only realize the call is a scam when their credit runs out.

SOURCE : CNBC INDONESIA