WhatsApp Scams: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to our warning regarding WhatsApp scams. This resource will teach you to protect yourself from being defrauded through WhatsApp. Please share it with your friends and family to keep them safe.

WhatsApp is a popular messaging app owned by Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly known as Facebook, Inc.).

Launched in 2009, WhatsApp is now one of the most popular communication tools globally, with billions of people using it.

WhatsApp offers text messaging, voice and video calls, and media-sharing features.

As popular as it is, scammers have started taking advantage of it, and online scams have become increasingly prevalent.

Overview of WhatsApp Scams

WhatsApp scams are fraudulent activities through the WhatsApp messaging app.

It’s super easy to create a WhatsApp account. All that’s needed is a phone number. And then, you can send messages to anyone with a WhatsApp account. Creating group chats that allow scammers to reach multiple users simultaneously is also easy.

Some common types of WhatsApp scams include:

1. Lottery scams: You receive a message that you won a large sum of money or a valuable prize in a lottery or sweepstakes. To claim the winnings, you “just” need to pay a processing fee, provide personal information, or click on a malicious link.
2. Investment scams: You are offered a lucrative investment opportunity with high returns and low risk.
3. Romance scams: You get contacted by someone you don’t know who wants to develop a romantic relationship with you. Over time, they ask for money for various reasons. When you stop sending them money, they disappear.
4. Phishing and malware attacks: You get a message containing a link or an attachment. Clicking on it, malware is installed on your device, or you are directed to a phishing website to steal your personal information or login credentials.

How WhatsApp Scams Work

Scammers initiate and conduct WhatsApp scams using various techniques to deceive and manipulate their victims to give them access to personal information and credentials or convince them to make financial transactions.

Here are some of the methods WhatsApp scammers employ:

1. Impersonation: Scammers pretend to be someone you know, such as a friend, family member, or colleague, using stolen profile pictures or similar names or government agencies, banks, or well-known companies.
2. Phishing: Phishing involves sending messages with malicious links or attachments that, when clicked, direct you to a fraudulent website that looks very similar to legitimate ones, designed to steal your information, or installs malware on your device, enabling the scammers to access sensitive data or take control of the device.
3. Social engineering techniques: These are psychological tactics, such as creating a sense of urgency, fear, or sympathy, used to manipulate you into divulging confidential information or performing actions that benefit the scammer.
4. Group chats and forwarding: Scammers often use group chats to reach multiple users at once by creating groups with deceptive names or infiltrating existing ones. Additionally, they can encourage users to forward scam messages to their contacts.
5. Profile cloning: By cloning the profiles of legitimate users, scammers can send friend requests or messages to the victim’s contacts, claiming to have lost access to their original account or needing assistance with a financial matter.

Warning Signs of WhatsApp Scams

Recognizing red flags and warning signs is essential for identifying WhatsApp scams and protecting yourself from being defrauded.

Some common indicators of suspicious messages or behaviors include:

• Unsolicited messages from unknown contacts
• Messages creating a sense of urgency: e.g., your account will be closed, or you’ll miss out on an opportunity if you don’t respond immediately.
• Requests for personal information or financial transactions: Legitimate organizations typically do not request sensitive information or ask for financial transactions through WhatsApp.
• Too-good-to-be-true offers: If you are promised high returns with little to no risk, gifts, or substantial discounts, it’s likely a scam.
• Spelling and grammar errors.
• Unfamiliar links or attachments.
• Inconsistent or suspicious profile information.
• Pressure to forward messages.

Impacts of WhatsApp Scams

Falling victim to WhatsApp scams can lead to a range of negative consequences, impacting not only the direct victim but also their friends, family, and the broader community.

Some of the potential harms caused by scams include:

1. Financial losses
2. Emotional distress
3. Identity theft
4. Device compromise
5. Damage to personal relationships

Given these potential harms, reporting scams and seeking help is crucial if you become a victim.

Examples of WhatsApp Scams

One recent example of a WhatsApp scam is the “Rs. 50 per like” scam. Scammers send chats to people about job opportunities, and when someone asks them what the job is about, they say it is about “liking” YouTube videos and getting paid for it.

Another example is the Family Member Impersonation Scam on WhatsApp. In this scam, malicious actors impersonate victims’ nearest and dearest. A much-seen iteration of this scam is commonly known as the ‘Hi Mom, Hi Dad” scam and involves the threat actor pretending to be a parent’s child with a new phone number. Then, the scammer uses social engineering techniques – such as claiming their online bank account isn’t working or losing files and pictures – to extort money and personal information from the unsuspecting victim.

“The Ten Commandments” of Protecting Yourself from WhatsApp Scams

To safeguard yourself against WhatsApp scams, you should proactively secure your accounts and stay vigilant when using the platform.

Here are some practical tips to help protect yourself:

1. Create strong passwords: Use a unique and complex password, incorporating a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Do not use easily guessable information, such as your name, birthdate, or common words.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your account, requiring a verification code when logging in from a new device. To enable 2FA on WhatsApp, click Settings > Account > Two-step verification and follow the instructions.
3. Be cautious of unknown contacts and messages: Treat unsolicited messages from unknown contacts with suspicion, especially if they involve offers, requests for personal information, or links to external websites. Verify the authenticity of the sender and their claims before taking any action.
4. Limit profile visibility: Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your profile picture, last seen status and other information. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy and customize your preferences to limit visibility to contacts you trust.
5. Regularly update the app: Ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed, as updates often include security improvements and new features to protect against scams and other threats.
6. Educate yourself about common scams: Stay informed about the latest scams and tactics fraudsters use to recognize better and avoid potential threats. (For example, subscribe to our blog to receive scam warnings.)
7. Avoid sharing sensitive information: Never share personal or financial information through WhatsApp, particularly with unknown contacts.
8. Verify forwarded messages: Be cautious of forwarded messages, as their content may be misleading or part of a scam. Use reliable sources to fact-check information before sharing it with others.
9. Enable security notifications: Turn on security notifications in WhatsApp’s settings to be alerted when a contact’s security code changes, which may indicate their account has been compromised.
10. Report scams: If you encounter a suspected scam, report it to WhatsApp and the appropriate authorities. This can help combat fraudulent activities and protect other users from being targeted.

Reporting WhatsApp Scams

Reporting WhatsApp scams is crucial in combating, protecting others, and contributing to a safer online environment.

Here’s how to report scams on WhatsApp:

Reporting within WhatsApp

For individual chats: Open the chat with the suspicious contact, tap on their name or number at the top of the screen, scroll down, and select “Report Contact.”

For group chats: Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top of the screen, scroll down, and select “Report Group.”

You can also block the suspicious contact by selecting “Block” in their profile or group settings.

Reporting helps WhatsApp improve security and develop new features to counter malicious activities.

Reporting to relevant authorities

Depending on your country, you may have a dedicated government agency or police unit responsible for handling cybercrimes and online scams. Research the appropriate authority in your region and report the scam, providing as much detail as possible.

In the USA, for example, report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and your state’s Attorney General’s office.

If the scam involves impersonating a financial institution, business, or government agency, contact the legitimate organization to inform them of the scam and seek advice on any further actions.

If you have suffered financial losses or had personal information compromised, contact your bank or financial institution immediately to secure your accounts. Additionally, consider seeking support from friends, family, or professional counseling services to help cope with the emotional distress.

Community reporting plays a vital role in combating scams and protecting others.

When you report scams, you are contributing to the ongoing efforts to identify and track down scammers, prevent further victimization, and raise awareness about the tactics used by fraudsters.

By taking action and reporting suspicious activities, you can positively impact the broader community, helping create a safer online environment for everyone.

Complaints We Received

On October 20, 2023, one of our partners received the following complaint from a person who reported being scammed for $40000:

I met someone online on WhatsApp, and we’ve talked about various topics for a long time. Recently, she told me about investing in cryptocurrency, presenting it as a good opportunity. Despite our conversations, I’ve started to feel unsure and fear that there’s a 60% chance I might get scammed. She informed me about a 15% profit tax, and I paid 19,000 USD with her assistance. However, when I tried to withdraw money, customer service requested another payment of 19,000 USD. This has made me feel anxious and doubtful about the whole situation. I would appreciate some advice or consultation regarding this matter. I still have her contact information, and we are part of a small group, which includes five other people, and it seems like it might be a scam. Thank you.

On November 10, 2023, one of our partners received the following complaint:

I would like to report a scam that I’ve unfortunately fallen victim to, involving an investment amount of $300,000. The scam was orchestrated through a WhatsApp group, with the contact details being

– https://wa.me/+918949369224

– https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=918949369224&text&type=phone_number&app_absent=0

Additionally, there’s an associated Instagram page involved in this scam, which can be found at https://instagram.com/bitcoin_treding_7240?igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg==.

The WhatsApp group is titled “share market Bitcoin Treding” [sic], and the phone number associated with the WhatsApp account is +918949369224, an Indian phone number.

The associated Instagram page, found at https://instagram.com/bitcoin_treding_7240, displays several potential red flags:

1. The page, titled “bitcoin treding”, promises to multiply money by five times, claiming to be “REAL AND TRUSTED WORK” and assures crediting accounts within 40 minutes.
2. The description suggests a focus on quick and high financial returns.
3. The use of phrases like “IMANDARI EK MAHAGA SHOUK HAI” (which translates to “Honesty is an expensive hobby”) and the claim of being original since 2019 are noteworthy.

These elements, particularly the unrealistic promises of high and quick returns, lack of following, and bold claims, are typical indicators of fraudulent schemes.

Bottom Line

WhatsApp scams pose various risks and impacts, including financial losses, emotional distress, identity theft, device compromise, and damage to personal relationships.

Falling victim to these scams not only affects the targeted individual but can also have broader consequences for friends, family, and the community. That is why it is so important to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting yourself against scams on WhatsApp.

You can reduce your chances of becoming a victim by staying informed about the latest scams and tactics, being cautious when interacting with unknown contacts or suspicious messages, and regularly updating privacy settings and security measures.

If you have fallen victim to online scams, please comment below. If you have suffered a substantial financial loss, do not despair. We are here to assist you in recovering your funds!