Rip-off with area code 0088: That’s what’s behind it

If you have received a call from a number with the area code 0088, it is a planned scam. We explain how the scam works and how you can react correctly to such a call.

Area code 0088: Beware of rip-offs

Numbers with the prefix 0088 or +88 are connected to so-called satellite networks. Connecting to these special networks is extremely expensive, so you can quickly get rid of several euros.

• There are currently an increasing number of ping calls from numbers beginning with the prefixes 0082 and 0083. The victims are only called for a few seconds, so that there is no possibility to pick up the phone. The scammers hope that you will call back.

• If you call back, you will end up in a never-ending queue. Never call such numbers back and simply ignore the call. If you have already called, hang up.

• Satellite networks are not assigned to any country, so scammers are hard to catch legally. The 0088 numbers usually belong to large mobile phone providers, with whom the fraudsters only rent for a certain period of time. By diverting calls, the fraudsters also disguise their identity.