WhatsApp Scammers are Pretending to Be Young Women
Police issued a stern warning on Friday, March 26, after a rise in a slick new trick on messaging platforms like WhatsApp. It involves a picture of a “teenage romance” and a friendly opener: “Hi, I haven’t heard from you for a long time…”. The scammers often say they’re in Hong Kong.
What the Scam Looks Like
Here’s a quick rundown of the usual playbook:
- They send a selfie with a caption that feels personal.
- The message claims to have a new phone number with the +62 prefix (Indonesia) to keep the story believable.
- They ask you to reply to a second WhatsApp account with the +852 prefix (Hong Kong) to “continue the chat.”
Once you’re hooked, the scammer’s goal is to phish for your personal data and maybe even coax you into sending money.
Why “+62” and “+852” Matter
+62 is Indonesia’s dialing code, while +852 belongs to Hong Kong. Switching numbers makes the trick feel like a legit change in contact details.
How to Protect Yourself
The police give you a solid play‑book to avoid falling for this scam:
- Ignore and block. Don’t engage; simply block the number.
- Be wary of strangers. New online friends can sometimes be shadows.
- No money. Never send cash or transfers to someone you haven’t met.
- Don’t click suspicious links. If something feels off, ditch the link. Verify it through an official site or a trusted source.
- Keep your login credentials secret. Do not share bank details with anyone who pop up in your inbox.
Got a suspicious message or know a scammer? Call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or
(the quick note is for your reference, no actual link will appear here!). For a deeper dive, check out the Anti‑Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688.
Quick Takeaway
Think: Who’s the “young woman” texting me after the pandemic? Did they randomly change numbers from Indonesia to Hong Kong? It’s a sci‑fi plot! If it feels like a sci‑fi plot— it probably is. Block it and move on.
