Mysterious Calls From Azerbaijan And Armenia: Our Strange Story

My spouse and I have been getting calls from Azerbaijan and Armenia. I'm not sure why, but it might have something to do with the ongoing conflict between the two countries. There has been tension and military conflict between the two countries for decades, with a recent escalation in September 2022 when Azerbaijan invaded Armenia. The conflict is mainly over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is claimed by both countries and has a majority ethnic Armenian population. There have been attempts at peace agreements, but the situation remains unstable, and there are concerns about potential human rights violations and ethnic cleansing.

Scam calls from Azerbaijan and Armenia are a widespread issue

This scam has been a persistent issue for many individuals, including those with no connection to or plans to visit the region. In addition to the financial implications, these scam calls can also be disruptive and frustrating, especially when they occur during late or early hours of the day. It is important to note that this is not limited to calls from Azerbaijan and Armenia, as similar scams have been reported from other countries as well.

To protect yourself from such scams, it is advisable to follow certain guidelines. Do not answer calls from unknown numbers, especially international ones. If you receive a missed call or voicemail from an unknown number, refrain from calling back. Curiosity can be costly, and it is better to err on the side of caution. Additionally, consider blocking the number to prevent further disruptions.

If you have been a victim of this scam and incurred charges, contact your phone service provider immediately to dispute the charges and seek a resolution. You may also want to report the scam to the relevant authorities to help raise awareness and prevent others from falling victim.

While these scam calls are a nuisance, following the advice outlined above can help minimize the risk of financial loss and disruption. It is important to stay vigilant and cautious when dealing with unknown callers to protect yourself from such fraudulent activities.

It is likely a 'one-ring scam' where scammers make money off long-distance charges

If you and your spouse are receiving calls from Azerbaijan and Armenia, it is likely a one-ring scam where scammers make money off long-distance charges. This scam is known as "Wangiri", which originated in Japan and means "one-ring-and-cut".

Here's how the scam works: your phone rings once or twice, and then the call stops. The scammer hopes that you will call the number back to see who it was or what they wanted. If you do call back, you will typically hear a recorded message that is intended to keep you on the phone or prompt you to call back again. For example, the message might say, "Hello, I'm having trouble hearing you. Will you please call back?"

The scam lies in the fact that every time you call, you will be charged high international rates or other connection fees. The longer you stay on the call, the more you pay. The scammer gets all or part of these fees. Therefore, it is important to never call back a number you don't recognize, especially if it is an international number.

In addition to the financial cost, these scam calls can also be a nuisance, interrupting your sleep or daily activities. Unfortunately, this is a common issue that many people face, and it can be challenging to put a stop to it. However, it is important to remain vigilant and not fall into the trap set by these scammers.

To protect yourself from this scam, it is advisable to not answer calls from unknown numbers, especially international ones. If you do receive a one-ring call or a missed call from an unknown number, simply ignore it and do not call back. Curiosity may be tempting, but it will only result in unnecessary charges on your phone bill.

While this scam may be frustrating, it is important to remain cautious and aware of such tactics used by scammers. By educating yourself and others about this scam, you can help prevent people from falling victim to it. Additionally, staying informed about the latest scamming techniques can help you identify and avoid potential threats.

It is also worth noting that the frequent calls from Azerbaijan and Armenia may be related to the ongoing tensions and conflicts between the two countries. There have been reports of border clashes and military offensives, which have resulted in casualties and displaced civilians. However, unless you have a direct connection to the region, it is unlikely that these calls are personally targeted towards you or your spouse.

It is best not to answer or call back unknown international numbers

If you and your spouse are receiving calls from Azerbaijan and Armenia, it is best not to answer or call back these unknown international numbers. This is likely a scam known as "Wangiri", which originates from Japan and means "one-ring-and-cut". The scammer hopes that you will call the number back and will then be charged high international rates or other connection fees. The longer you stay on the call, the more you pay, and the scammer gets all or part of those fees.

In addition to the financial cost, there is also a risk to your personal security. Scammers can use your phone number to gather personal information, which could lead to identity theft or other fraudulent activities. Furthermore, answering calls from unknown international numbers can expose you to spoofing, where scammers impersonate a legitimate organization to trick you into giving up personal information.

To protect yourself, do not answer calls from unknown international numbers and do not call back if you miss a call. Let the call go to voicemail, and if a message is left, listen carefully to assess if it is a legitimate call. Be cautious and vigilant to avoid falling victim to scams and fraud.

If the calls persist or you notice any suspicious activity on your phone, contact your phone service provider for assistance. They can help you block the numbers or provide additional security measures to protect your information.

Blocking the numbers is a good idea, but scammers can use multiple numbers

If you and your spouse are receiving calls from Azerbaijan and Armenia, it is likely part of a massive, international scam known as "Wangiri", which originated in Japan. The word "Wangiri" means "one-ring-and-cut" in Japanese. The scammer calls you and lets the phone ring once or twice, hanging up before you can answer. This prompts you to call the number back out of curiosity or to find out who it was. When you call back, you will hear a recorded message that is intended to keep you on the phone or get you to call back again. For example, the message may say: "Hello… hello?… I’m having trouble hearing you. Hello?… Will you please call back?". The longer you stay on the call, the more you pay. The scammer gets all or part of the fees.

• Do not answer calls from unknown international numbers, especially if they are from countries you don't recognise or have no connection to.
• Do not call back unknown international numbers that have called you, even if they leave a voicemail.
• Be cautious of calls that seem unusual or suspicious, such as calls from unfamiliar countries or calls that hang up after one or two rings.
• Be aware that scammers may use spoofing techniques to disguise their phone number and make it seem like they are calling from a different location or country.
• Report suspicious calls to your phone company or the relevant authorities.
• Be vigilant and stay informed about the latest scamming techniques.

It is important to remain cautious and take steps to protect yourself and your spouse from potential scams and financial loss.

Mobile apps like TrueCaller can help identify unknown numbers

If you and your spouse are receiving calls from unknown numbers in Azerbaijan and Armenia, it is likely that you are being targeted by an international scam known as "Wangiri". This scam originated in Japan and involves scammers calling random phone numbers and hanging up after one or two rings. The scammers hope that the recipient will call back, leading to a recorded message that is designed to keep the person on the line or encourage them to call back again. As a result, the recipient may be charged high international rates or connection fees, with the scammer receiving all or part of these fees.

To protect yourself from such scams, it is advisable to not answer calls or call back numbers that you do not recognize. Additionally, you can use mobile apps like TrueCaller to help identify unknown numbers. TrueCaller offers a number search feature that allows you to manually copy and paste numbers from your phone, social media, or the web to identify the name behind the number. It also has a built-in dialer that identifies the number before you make a call. For Android users, TrueCaller provides Live Caller ID, which helps identify the number before you answer the call. This feature requires a 3G/4G or strong WiFi connection and is currently not available for iPhones due to restrictions from Apple.

TrueCaller also offers additional features such as the ability to search for people within your social circle. If you met someone recently, TrueCaller can help you keep in touch by providing their contact details. However, if their profile is set to private, you may need to upgrade to TrueCaller Professional to access their information. Overall, TrueCaller can be a useful tool to identify unknown numbers and protect yourself from potential scams or unwanted calls.

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