Annoying Wangiri phone call scam. (Mauritania)

[Slushbox]

Started getting 'ring and drop' calls from Mauritania yesterday. Started at 16:00, had forty calls since then.

Numbers start 00223. Looks like the Wangiri scam, where you call back and get hooked up to a premium call rate.

The bds are ringing every five to fifteen minutes with a different number, but with the same 00223 area code.

My Android Moto E4 doesn't have 'area code' or international blocking, but installed a free app called 'Should I Answer' which blocks international numbers. Maybe TrueCaller would also work.

Callers have responded by calling every five minutes. Very annoying as I need incoming international calls.

Any other solutions?

[cobra kid]

Drastic but could you change number?

[sgrimshaw]

Could try turning your phone off for a day or so.

If the number is unreachable it should drop of the scammers list eventually.

[Slushbox]

cobra kid said:

Drastic but could you change number?

I may have to. Still getting calls every ten to twenty minutes. I did switch the phone off last night but the calls started as soon as I switched it on. Presumably an auto-dialler.

I've blocked fifteen numbers so far, but still they come.

Hope I've got more patience than they have numbers.

[The_Jackal]

Ring your phone company.
You are clearly on an autodialer's list.
Get them to block it.

[FourWheelDrift]

Slushbox said:

Maybe TrueCaller would also work.

Truecaller will block them, you add the numbers to the black list. I am currently using another app called Call Blacklist - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.... same thing, less intrusive than Truecaller which can spam you to upgrade.

[Slushbox]

Thanks for replies.

I installed 'Should I Answer?' app and set it to block incoming international calls. It responds with 'unobtainable/out of service tone.' Also has 'reject calls unless in contact list.'

The calls stopped yesterday lunchtime. A total of 45 were logged over a 12 hour period. They seemed to have a block of at least 40 international numbers, so blocking each one was a faff.

Wangiri scam seems to operate on 'ring the phone once and hangup.' Repeat every few minutes until phone owner either thinks its important and calls back, or phones them up to rant at them. ;-)

V. annoying, with a capital 'F'.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org....

[anonymous-user]

On a related note, it’s good to add premium call / text barring to mobile. I can via my providers app.
To avoid any charges if caught unawares..