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A rising scam involving WhatsApp is targeting users through fake recruitment messages.
The UK’s data regulator is investigating a sharp increase in reports of so-called "add me on WhatsApp" robo-calls, in which a recorded voice urges people to connect.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) received more than 3,600 complaints about these automated calls in September, nearly triple the volume recorded in July and marking a five-year high.
The ICO believes the true scale is much larger, with millions potentially affected.
What is the 'add me on WhatsApp' scam?
The calls typically originate from what appears to be a UK mobile number and often mention part-time work opportunities.
The scam appears to have risen after WhatsApp recently enabled a new feature that allowed users to block messages from people not in their contacts.
A discussion over the scam has taken place on r/AskUK group on Reddit.
Someone posted: "Has anyone else been getting calls and voicemails from random numbers asking to be added to WhatsApp?"
Many responded saying they had, but typically did not pick up due to Apple's call screening system.
The feature intercepts incoming calls from unrecognised or unsaved numbers using on-device AI to ask the caller for their name and purpose before your phone rings.
One Reddit user said they were "getting a few a week".
Another said: "Yes, frequently.
"Call screen all my calls, then report and block the numbers."
Martin Richardson, senior partner at National Fraud Helpline, warned users that by adding this number you are allowing scammers to defeat WhatsApp’s ability to block scam messages.
He adds: "Our obvious advice is that if you receive one of these voicemail messages, simply delete it and forget about it.
"Do not under any circumstances add their number into your contact list on your mobile phone."
Simon Fell, from the Communications Crime Strategy Group, told the BBC he had not investigated the messages directly but believed they were likely a form of recruitment scam.
Mr Fell said: "Most likely it would be a recruitment scam.
"They would either put you through to a fake job listing, which might involve some form of money muling.
"It could look like a completely legitimate job, or something ad hoc, but they might pass criminal funds through your account, which can lead to terrible consequences.
"It could also be a simple phishing exercise – criminals send out these messages, and what they really want to know is who's picking up, who's active – that information can be resold on the dark web."
Andy Curry, head of criminal investigations at the ICO, added: "We are trying to find who is behind this, why they're doing it and the impact it's having on members of the public.
"We think there are probably millions of people who are receiving these messages, which appear to us to be largely indiscriminate.
"I've had them, my colleague who's leading the investigation has had them.
"It's likely to be the tip of the iceberg."
Investigations ongoing into WhatsApp scam as 3,600 complaints made
Mr Fell added that mobile operators are tackling the issue on multiple fronts, including sharing intelligence with Ofcom, working with law enforcement, and liaising with Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp.
He said: "If someone does follow up on the request to add the number to the encrypted platform, any dialogue that happens between you and the criminal then can't be investigated any further."
A spokesperson for WhatsApp said the platform offers features to help users avoid scam calls, such as silencing calls from unknown numbers.
They also noted that WhatsApp bans millions of accounts each year for activities such as bulk account registration or automated messaging.
Mr Fell warned that although the calls appear to come from UK mobile numbers, these are often spoofed by the scammers.
Last November, the UK government promised to eliminate call spoofing within a year.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "We remain committed to delivering the Telecommunications Charter, alongside industry, by November."
The ICO advises people to ignore calls from unfamiliar numbers and to block and report any suspicious calls.
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The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify those responsible and assess the broader impact on the public.
Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and follow official guidance to protect themselves from falling victim to the scam.
Have you been targeted by the latest WhatsApp scam? Let us know in the comments.