WhatsApp Scam Alert: How fraudsters hijack accounts and steal money

A user recently shared on Reddit how he almost got scammed when a suspicious message came in asking for a code. After responding, he immediately received a verification code on his phone, which he believed was an attempt to hack his account.

Hyderabad: As the number of online fraud cases grows, the latest mode of scam is seen where hackers use WhatsApp to hijack users’ accounts and plunder their personal contacts for money. The multi-country reported scamming involves the victim being deceived to hand over verification codes so that the hackers could take over the account.

A user recently shared on Reddit how he almost got scammed when a suspicious message came in asking for a code. After responding, he immediately received a verification code on his phone, which he believed was an attempt to hack his account.

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How the Scam Works
Scammers message random numbers posing as acquaintances or official persons. When a person responds to this, fraudsters try logging into the recipient’s WhatsApp account by sending an automatic verification code to the user’s phone. They then request the code by providing false information and, upon receiving it, access the victim’s WhatsApp completely.

Once inside, they assume the identity of the account owner and begin calling friends and family, declaring that they have changed their number and urgently need money.

In other cases, hackers do not even have to hack into an account—a data breach and social media profile are often more than enough to assume other identities and commit identity theft against their acquaintances.

Immediate Impact
Many people have lost a lot of money in such scams. In some parts of Brazil, a person’s personal data is sold for minimal prices. In most cases, fraudsters use this approach. One reported case showed how a fraudster managed to trick an uncle of one of the victims into sending him $10,000.

How to Prevent

• Do not under any circumstances give your WhatsApp verification code to anyone.
• Enable two-step verification from WhatsApp settings.
• Be cautious of any unsolicited messages from unknown numbers, especially those asking for sensitive information.
• Verify identity through another channel—call the person directly before acting on a financial request.
• Educate family and friends about these scams to prevent them from falling victim.
• As scammers are evolving their methods, vigilance and awareness will be the best tools to safeguard digital identities. If you get a suspicious message, report it to WhatsApp and warn others in your community.