Unexpected WhatsApp message

GDB2222

akm2018 said:

GDB2222 said:

I’ve received a message from 'Bess' saying “Hello, are you Mr Finn, the yoga instructor from UK?”

I'm struggling to understand what the scam is? 

Does 'Bess' have a remotely saucy profile pic? And/or a non-UK number?

I've posted the pic, so that people can make their own minds up about the sauciness. It's a UK number. 

I don't know whether Whatsapp has, in effect, confirmed that my own phone number is live, by not bouncing the message?

flaneurs_lobster

GDB2222 said:

This is the profile pic. 

Clearly legit, that's definitely a yoga stick she's holding while standing on a yoga pitch.

la531983

Why is this even a thread, its clearly a scam, honest to god.

Vitor

- This is the profile pic.  - 

I'm calling ladyboy, goalkeepers hands ⛹️

Exodi

Yep, profile picture is exactly as you'd expect.

HappyHarry

Vitor said:

- This is the profile pic.  - 

I'm calling ladyboy, goalkeepers hands ⛹️

She's a keeper?

Emmia

Just block and move on.

I get this sort of thing regularly, I don't engage, I just block.

GDB2222

Emmia said:

Just block and move on.

I get this sort of thing regularly, I don't engage, I just block.

There's a snag with blocking, as follows:. 

1. Scammer sends a message. Message gets through.
2. You block them.
3. Scammer sends a second message. Message doesn't get delivered, so they can infer you've blocked them.

That's a good result for the scammer - they now know that your number is actively in use. They can move your number to a verified list, and it's worth more money when they sell the list.

Result for you - you're more likely to get spam.

Emmia

GDB2222 said:

Emmia said:

Just block and move on.

I get this sort of thing regularly, I don't engage, I just block.

There's a snag with blocking, as follows:. 

1. Scammer sends a message. Message gets through.
2. You block them.
3. Scammer sends a second message. Message doesn't get delivered, so they can infer you've blocked them.

That's a good result for the scammer - they now know that your number is actively in use. They can move your number to a verified list, and it's worth more money when they sell the list.

Result for you - you're more likely to get spam.

Or don't engage, no bounce back means your number is active, so they still know your number is valid, and can sell it... Still lots of spam. I just don't get the follow up messages. 

Grumpy_chap

I still have the whatsapp message from Abi that simply says "Hi, long time no see, how are you?"
Unlike those in power, I was not taken in so no honey:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68796369

The yoga teacher called Mr Flynn is rather more specific as a question but might possibly receive more responses, even if the responses are "sorry, you must have the wrong number."  

Better to ignore either way.