In the era before WhatsApp's widespread popularity, people primarily relied on traditional SMS to send messages. However, the rise in spam and fraudulent messages led to a decline in SMS usage, and users increasingly turned to WhatsApp as a preferred messaging platform. Recently, WhatsApp has also experienced an uptick in scam messages and calls, with many individuals reporting receipt of such communications in the past week. These fraudulent messages and calls, purportedly offering fake lottery wins, loans, and job opportunities, often originate from international numbers with ISD codes linked to countries such as Malaysia, Kenya, Vietnam, and Ethiopia. Technology experts caution users not to engage with these scammers, urging them to remain vigilant when receiving unsolicited communications. Cybercrime Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Prasad advises users to be particularly wary of audio and video calls from unknown international numbers. He emphasizes that video calls pose a greater threat compared to audio calls, as scammers may employ enticing gestures to lure
