WhatsApp Scam Calls — "Mum, I've Lost My Phone"

The WhatsApp impersonation scam ("Hi Mum") usually arrives as a message or voice call from an unfamiliar UK mobile claiming to be your son or daughter with a new number. The hook is always the same: a small urgent payment, and a reason they cannot speak on the phone to verify.

Warning signs

• Message arrives from a UK 07 number you do not recognise.
• Claim of a broken phone, a stolen phone, or "this is my new number".
• They cannot make a video call or normal voice call to verify.
• Urgency — bill due today, locked out of online banking, etc.

Real-world scripts

• ""Hi Mum, my phone is broken and I'm on a friend's — can you pay this bill for me today?""
• ""Don't call this number, I'm at work — I'll send you the bank details.""

If you receive this call

• Verify by calling the family member's real number directly.
• Ask a question only the real person would know — but be aware scripted social-engineering counters work too.
• Block and report the WhatsApp message inside the app.
• Add the number to GhostCallers.

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