phishing?

[katherineeve]

Saw a text I think intended for my DH and thinking it must be phishing but would like a bit of reassurance as I can't figure out how it'd do a phisher any good...

Text reads: 'Hi, I'm Linda. nice to see you here. I'm 28 and single. I am a gentle girl. I am looking for a long term friendship and I like polite gentlemen. My WhatsApp is: .... We can share our daily life together and get to know each other better. Minors please don't add me'.

So doesn't ask for personal details, link to site or anything I'd expect a scammer to do so it sits weird with me. Am I just being paranoid or has my DH been on some *%%£ website to bring this on?

I've had those before and I'm a woman and have not been on any dodgy websites. My email address has been exposed in data breaches though.

I’d just delete it and move on

Ok, thanks -- I guess that's possible.

I get those all the time...

Does anyone know what happens if you reply to it?

ok, thanks!

Well I'm guessing if you reply in WhatsApp with your number then that can be info they could use?

It’s a spam romance scam. Data breach of your OH’s details. The phisher is hoping the recipient will respond to the messages, wanting a relationship/sex. The phisher will then either request money to be sent for sexy photos; or string the recipient along in a “relationship” requesting money to be sent to supposedly help them with bills or tickets to come and visit. They’ll keep it up for as long as the money keeps coming.

I had exactly the same text this morning. Word for word. I am female and haven't been on any dodgy sites.

Ok, thanks everyone -- makes sense and feeling much better!

Isn't it awful these scammers and what they'll do to people. I can't imagine anyone is stupid enough to fall for it, but there must be some that do or they wouldn't keep going. Saddos! 😡

My friend just forwarded this exact message she received, defo phishing.

Sadly these text/WhatApp messages seem to arrive randomly to most people at some time. Best is to report and block without responding. It does not indicate any suspicious behaviour on the part of the recipient, just that their number is being targeted with a scam.