UAE residents, do not open this WhatsApp voice note

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UAE residents, do not open this WhatsApp voice note

Dubai - Fraudsters have gone a step ahead.

By Keith Pereña

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Published: Sun 27 May 2018, 8:51 PM

Dubious WhatsApp messages informing residents in UAE that they have won a sum of money are common. Now, perpetrators of this fraud have gone a step ahead -- they are sending voice notes. 
One such message was received by this Khaleej Times journalist. The fake messages say that its recipient has won Dh200,000, courtesy of a hypermarket chain in UAE. Apart from a photo, which is adorned by the Expo 2020 logo as well as several banks, the WhatsApp message came with an audio file.
Upon pressing play to listen to it, the recording will say that the recipient has won a sum of Dh200,000 from Lulu Hypermarket.

Earlier, the name of Lulu Hypermarket was used to in another series of scam messages intended to swindle money from gullible UAE residents. The company has circulated an advisory asking the public not to fall prey to the fake messages.
Part of their statement said: "Lulu Group hereby declares that it never contacts and has not authorized anyone to contact its customers or common public for their banking, credit card or any similar details". 
Also read: Lulu Hypermarket warns against fake messages
The recording uses a robotic voice similar to those used on smartphones. In some cases, listening to the message may cause your WhatsApp application to freeze.


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