Definition
The word ‘Wangiri’ is Japanese for ‘one ring and cut’. So, basically, Wangiri fraud is a phone scam. The victim gets a phone call from an international number that rings only once for a very short period.
The call is intended to mislead curious receivers into calling back. Upon returning the call, they are usually connected to pricey premium-rate numbers, where the fraudsters benefit from the return calls.
Wangiri Scam History
The Wangiri scam has been operating since the early 2000s. It has made a resurgence as mobile phones have grown in popularity. This hoax originated in Japan, but it has since spread worldwide, affecting users in most countries.
Avoiding the Wangiri Scam
- Avoid returning the call if you are unfamiliar with an international phone number.
- There are forums and online directories where users report fraudsters’ numbers. A simple search may help you determine if the number has been reported as fraudulent.
- Current smartphones enable users to blacklist certain numbers, preventing continuous scam trials.
- Reporting the scam to your service provider can assist them in taking necessary steps and warn other users.
- Awareness is essential. Staying current on the recent scams may aid users in identifying and evading scams.