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WhatsApp fraud: “Hi mum, this is my new number”

Someone messages from an unknown number, says they are your child or friend, and needs money “right now”. This is how it works, and how you see through it.

Friend-in-need fraud has been the most reported scam in the Netherlands for years. The script never changes: new number, phone broken or stolen, a bill that must be paid today, could you cover it. The scammer is friendly, in a hurry, and “cannot call right now”.

The second variant is WhatsApp hijacking: the scammer takes over the account of someone you know (through a verification code that person shared by mistake) and then messages from the real number. Then the number is right — and only the question below still works.

How to spot it

1
A new number.“My phone broke, this is my temporary number, save it.” Almost nobody changes numbers out of the blue.
2
Money, fast.A bill due today, otherwise “a fine”, “debt collectors”, “trouble”.
3
Cannot call.“My microphone is broken”, “I am in a meeting”. A call would give the game away.
4
An account in someone else’s name.“Transfer it to my friend, he will pay it.” Money to a mule.
5
Fishing for who you are.“Did you lose my contact details?” or “you know who this is :)”. The scammer does not know whether you have a son, daughter or friend — you fill it in.

A real example, taken apart

WhatsApp, unknown number

Hi mum! My phone fell in the water, this is my new number for now 🙈 Can you help me? I have to pay a € 1,240 bill today and I cannot get into my banking app. I will transfer it back tomorrow ❤️

Why this is fake

New number + urgency + money: the complete script.
“Mum” is a guess; the scammer sends this to hundreds of numbers.
The banking app is exactly what they do not have and you do.

What you do

Call the old number.Not the new one. Your child picks up as normal? You know enough. Voicemail? Wait until they call you.
Ask a question only that person knows.The name of the childhood pet, where you ate last month. A scammer dodges: “don’t be weird, I’m in a hurry”.
Ask for a voice message or a video call.A short video call is impossible for a scammer.
Transfer nothing — not even “a small part”.Block the number, report it in WhatsApp (open the contact → Report) and report it to the Fraudehelpdesk.

Never do this

Share a WhatsApp verification code — with anyone, not even “WhatsApp” itself. That is how you hand over your account.
Transfer money to an account in a different name than the person asking.
Click a payment link sent in the chat.

Questions people ask

I already transferred. Can the bank get it back?

Call your bank straight away via the number on your card. A transfer to a Dutch account can sometimes still be stopped or reclaimed. File a police report; the recipient’s account number is evidence.

My own WhatsApp was taken over. What do I do?

Reinstall WhatsApp and register with your own number; the scammer is logged out. Then switch on two-step verification (Settings → Account). Warn your contacts that money was asked in your name.

How do I stop my parents falling for it?

Agree a family word: one word everyone knows and that you always ask for when money is requested. Simple, and it works.

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Sources

Fraudehelpdesk — friend-in-need fraud · Police — WhatsApp fraud

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