Scammers Spoofing Non-Existent Country Codes +42 and +422 to Target Taiwan
Taiwan residents are receiving unsolicited calls from numbers beginning with +42 and +422, country codes that either no longer exist or never existed. Scammers use spoofing software to fake caller IDs, and answering or calling back may result in being added to their target lists.
How the Scam Works
Recently, residents in Taiwan have been receiving unsolicited international calls from numbers beginning with +42 and +422. Callers impersonate legitimate companies like Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan's major telecom provider) and claim to need to process applications or handle pending requests—classic fraud tactics.
About the Country Codes
+42 was once the country code for Czechoslovakia but hasn't been in use since the country dissolved in 1993. +422 is a completely non-existent country code. Scammers deliberately use these invalid numbers to evade tracking and create confusion.
Why This Scam Is Possible: The Technical Vulnerability
The vulnerability stems from a fundamental flaw in the legacy phone network (PSTN). When designed in the early telephone era, the system was limited to telecom operators, so it was built on the assumption that the caller ID number provided by the originating carrier is trustworthy. Today's network infrastructure simply relays calls without verifying the authenticity of numbers.
With the rise of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), scammers can rent overseas network telephone systems and insert any number into the caller ID field. Because the system doesn't validate these numbers, fraudsters exploit this gap effortlessly. Once a user answers or calls back, scammers confirm the number is active and add it to their target database.
Warning Signs
- Calls from numbers starting with +42 or +422
- Caller claims to represent Chunghwa Telecom or other major companies
- Urgent requests to process applications or handle pending matters
- Silent calls or suspicious background noise
- Multiple calls from the same number even after hanging up
How to Protect Yourself
- Don't Answer: Do not pick up calls from numbers beginning with +42 or +422
- Don't Call Back: Resist the urge to return the call out of curiosity. Returning a call confirms your number is active and adds you to the scammer's target list
- Block the Numbers: Use your phone's blocking feature, though note that scammers using spoofing software may call from different numbers each time
- Verify Independently: If unsure about a claimed application or pending process, contact the organization directly using the phone number on their official website
- Never Share Personal Information: Never provide personal details, bank account numbers, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTP) over the phone
Where to Report
If you suspect fraud, immediately report it to:
- Anti-Fraud Hotline: 165
- Police: 110
Reporting suspicious calls helps law enforcement track fraud networks and protects other residents.
Source: 中天新聞網