ICO Probes UK 'Add Me to WhatsApp' Robo-Call Recruitment Scam Increase

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection watchdog, has confirmed it is actively investigating a surge in complaints concerning automated telephone calls, commonly referred to as 'robo-calls'. These unsolicited calls direct individuals to add a specific number via the WhatsApp messaging service, allegedly as a gateway to a fraudulent recruitment operation.

Reports indicate that the scam typically involves the caller, often an automated voice, prompting the recipient to engage with a WhatsApp contact for supposed job opportunities. Once connected, victims are frequently pressured into revealing personal information or making payments under false pretences related to employment. Such tactics underscore the persistent threat posed by sophisticated phishing and identity theft schemes.

The ICO's intervention follows a notable uptick in public reports, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. The investigation aims to identify the perpetrators behind these calls and implement measures to curb their illicit activities, which exploit personal data and financial vulnerability.