Although you will hear a ringing sound, this is actually part of the recording, thus keeping you on the line longer.” For example, as soon as you dial the number you’re automatically connected. "The scam is put together to try and keep the user on the line as long as possible, so small tricks are also employed to achieve this.
“When the caller tries to return the call they get connected to a recorded message which is billing at a premium rate.
#CALLS FROM ASCENSION ISLAND SERIES#
“It involves premium rate numbers being called in countries where the regulation around operating these numbers is not as strict as in other parts of the world. The scam is quite simple, the fraudsters use an automatic dialer that calls a series of numbers in a defined range, for example +971 50 123 xxxx, the dialer calls each number in turn for one ring and then disconnects. “The Wangiri scam has been around for a long time and I guess it was just a matter of time before the UAE got hit,” said David Michaux, director technical security services of Whispering Bell that provides risk management and information security services. The numbers originate from Nauru, Liberia, Chad and phone users from Ireland to India, South Africa to New Zealand have received calls from scammers who are part of networks that dial a set of numbers. Like dozens of others who have taken to Facebook and Twitter to post instances of international calls that are immediately disconnected, she worries her number is in the hands of hackers. Ms Bianchi then received messages to call other numbers and texts with invitation links to contests promising thousands of dollars in prize money. She heard loud recorded music, couldn’t disconnect the call and ended up paying hundreds of dirhams in overseas charges.” "A friend called back because her parents were travelling and she assumed they called her. I was lucky I couldn’t get through," said Rosa Bianchi, a marketing executive from Dubai. “The call was disconnected repeatedly from the same international number and I made the mistake of calling back. People who ring back after a missed call are routed to premium rate numbers and are locked into listening to an automated message until it plays out. Wangiri translates to ‘one ring and cut’ in Japan from where the hoax first originated. Security experts said users are being targeted by the Wangiri scam, a telephone con that has hit other nations in recent years.
Criminal gangs are targeting UAE customers with a cold calling phone scam that lands victims with huge bills.
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