The “flora scam” spreads on WhatsApp: this is how to recognize it (and defend yourself)

After the famous scam of the curriculum vitae and that of the message “Hi, can I speak to her for a moment?”, A new threat to users appears WhatsApp To pay attention to: the “Flora scam”.

You receive one called by an unknown number. On the other hand there is an interlocutor or a female voice managed by a bot who reveals that he is called Flora Although, in reality, it could take many other names automatically generated. A few seconds from the beginning of the call, the voice pretends to be line problems and claims to not be able to feel good, thus proposing to Move the conversation to WhatsApp. Once there, she apologizes for the mistake of having composed a wrong number and Send some photographs – probably generated with artificial intelligence – in order to increase credibility and establish a relationship of trust with the unfortunate. Subsequently, Flora asks to move the conversation to another number again but as soon as you send an answer, The bot ends its conversation: apparently comforting behavior but that could conceal more such as, for example, thesending a virus behind the images exchanged via chat or the Collection of personal data.

Everything is configured as a practice not very different from one traditional “romance scam” That is, a scam designed to sentimentally involve the victim, so much as to establish a relationship, and then induce it to provide it Personal or bank data and Estorted sums of money often also important.

How to defend yourself from the Flora scam

Although the scam has not yet been reported by institutional websites, such as that of the Postal Police for example, it is not clear how many unfortunate are involved to date and if the fraud is still in progress: Fanpage.it would have verified A case reported by readers. However it is useful to know some Good practices to defend yourself from any threats that act by telephone.

The first step to defend yourself is knowing grasp the suspicious signals. An unexpected phone call that requires Confirm codes, passwords or sensitive data He must immediately trigger the alarm: no bank or reliable institution asks for this information by phone or chat. It is equally important distinguish a recorded or automatic item from a real interlocutor, so as not to fall into the network of automated scam systems. Another frequent stratagem is the psychological pressure As, for example, to pretend that a family member is in danger or solicit the urgent communication of personal data, perhaps threatening the closure of the bank account: well -known manipulation techniques, against which it is necessary to maintain distrust.

Also, it is good to remember that it is not necessary Never recall the number from which the call came suspect, nor open links received via sms or chat. In the same way, too attractive promotions must be wary they promise Products in homage or torn prices asking in return only a small payment since, in most cases, it is Phishing attempts implemented with the sole purpose of get your credit card data.

The prudence therefore turns out to be the best defense: to keep calm, stop the conversation and, if necessary, contact directly the bodies concerned using the official channels or, in the worst case, the competent authorities to report any fraud.