AI Fuels Spike in Mysterious WhatsApp Scam Calls

A significant increase in mysterious spam calls is prompting security alerts for individuals across Britain. These calls often originate from unknown numbers and frequently request recipients to add them on WhatsApp. Experts attribute this rise to the growing use of Artificial Intelligence by scammers, which facilitates the creation of fake voices and automates calling operations. As of September 28, 2026, this trend is ongoing, with mobile networks reporting a substantial increase in blocked fraudulent calls.

Industry bodies and mobile network providers are urging the public to remain vigilant. Scammers aim to move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp to avoid detection and to execute more elaborate scams, including recruitment fraud where victims are persuaded to send money with promises of future payments. Several mobile operators are employing AI-powered systems to identify and flag suspicious calls before they reach customers. One provider has flagged approximately 80 million calls monthly, with over a billion calls identified and warned against to date.

To enhance personal security, experts recommend activating call-screening features available on both iPhone and Android devices. These settings can filter out unknown callers before the phone rings. Additionally, users are advised to avoid sharing personal details, report suspicious calls by texting '7726', and to block any unknown numbers that request to be added on WhatsApp. Reducing the sharing of personal phone numbers is also suggested as a preventative measure against data breaches that fuel spam operations.