Cons and scams are nothing new, but the digital age, particularly with platforms like WhatsApp, has given them new life. While the core tricks remain similar – to steal, damage, spy, or cause harm – the shift to text-based communication means WhatsApp scams are on the rise.
Cybercriminals use WhatsApp to run both large-scale campaigns and targeted attacks. To protect yourself and enjoy WhatsApp without unnecessary complications, it’s crucial to understand common scams and how to defend against them.
Why WhatsApp is a Scammer’s Playground
WhatsApp is a popular platform with around 2 billion users, making it a prime target for scammers. If you’ve been a victim of a WhatsApp hack, you might wonder why scammers chose this platform. Here’s why:
- Popularity: With billions of users, WhatsApp offers a vast pool of potential victims. More users equal more targets.
- Familiarity: People are generally comfortable using WhatsApp. Attackers exploit this familiarity to create a false sense of security, making targets more vulnerable to social engineering.
- Anonymity: Unlike other platforms, WhatsApp only requires a phone number, which can be easily faked using apps and services. This gives scammers anonymity and makes them difficult to trace.
- Easy targets: Your WhatsApp is linked to your phone number, which attackers can find through data breaches or leaks.
WhatsApp Scams: How They Work
Like phishing or social engineering scams, WhatsApp scams start when an attacker identifies a target, often by finding phone numbers. These numbers might be randomly selected or specifically targeted.
Once a scammer has their target, they send a phishing message designed to look trustworthy. This might impersonate a bank requesting verification, a delivery service asking for details, or even a family member claiming to need help from a new phone.
The message aims to either start a conversation to build trust or trick you into clicking a link or sending money. The ultimate goal is to harvest personal information, install malware, or steal money.
Alt text: A smartphone displaying a WhatsApp chat interface, emphasizing security measures against scam attempts.
11 Common WhatsApp Scams to Watch Out For
Here are some of the most prevalent scam techniques used on WhatsApp today:
1. The “Desperate Son/Daughter” Scam
This scam targets parents by impersonating their child.
How it works:
- You receive a message from an unknown number claiming to be your son or daughter.
- The scammer provides a reason for using a new number (e.g., lost phone).
- They present a desperate situation requiring immediate financial assistance.
- They ask for money to be transferred to a specific bank account or digital wallet.
How to avoid it: If you receive such a message, immediately call your child to verify. Report, delete, and block the scammer’s contact if it’s a fake.
2. WhatsApp Crypto Scams
These scams promise high returns on cryptocurrency investments.
How they work:
Scammers try to convince you to invest in a specific cryptocurrency via a link or platform. They might pretend to be crypto gurus offering advice or build trust over time before introducing the investment opportunity. Information shared on these platforms is invariably used for malicious purposes such as account takeover, identity theft, or bank account theft.
3. WhatsApp Dating Scams
Dating scams exploit the desire for connection.
How they work:
Scammers use a “scattergun approach” or target individuals on dating apps. They build a relationship, express care and affection, and then ask for money, gifts, or access to personal information for blackmail.
4. The Nigerian Prince Scam
An old email scam adapted for WhatsApp.
How it works:
The scammer claims to be a wealthy individual (often a Nigerian prince) needing help to access an inheritance or reward, requesting money for taxes or other fees.
How to avoid it: Don’t engage with strangers offering suspicious stories or asking for money. Block and report the contact.
5. Fake Blackmail
Scammers claim to have obtained sensitive information and demand money to prevent its release.
How it works:
The attacker contacts you claiming to have obtained sensitive files. He asks for funds in return for the files and promises not to leak the information or make it public. To apply pressure, the scammer may even show you some photographs or information he obtained via a quick search of your social media. The scammer usually demands cryptocurrency payments and may continue blackmailing you, or they may simply disappear.
Alt text: Close-up view of the WhatsApp application interface on an iPhone, emphasizing its functionality and accessibility.
6. The Verification Code Con
Scammers trick users into sharing their WhatsApp verification code to take over their account.
How it works:
- You receive a WhatsApp verification code you didn’t request.
- The scammer contacts you, claiming they accidentally entered your number and asks for the code.
- Sharing the code grants them access to your account.
How to avoid it: Never share your verification code with anyone.
7. WhatsApp Gold Scam
A fake upgrade to a premium WhatsApp service.
How it works:
You receive a message offering an upgrade to “WhatsApp Gold,” a nonexistent premium service. Paying a small fee leads to financial credential theft.
8. Friends and Family Scam
Scammers use a hacked account to target the victim’s contacts.
How it works:
They pose as a friend or family member, create an urgent story, and ask for money or personal information.
9. Lottery, Gifts, or Surveys
Scammers promise prizes or gifts in exchange for completing a survey.
How it works:
You receive a message claiming you’ve won a lottery or gift and need to complete a survey to claim it. This leads to financial theft or malware installation.
How to avoid it: Verify any such claims with official sources.
10. WhatsApp Video Call Scams
Scammers use video calls to build trust or gather compromising information.
How they work:
Scammers might use unstable or fake videos to appear legitimate or try to capture a screenshot or video of you for blackmail.
11. WhatsApp Scam with an Asian Lady
A romance scam where the scammer pretends to be an Asian woman.
How it works:
The scammer aims to convince you they’re an Asian woman and get you to send money, gifts, or personal information, often citing cultural differences or language barriers as reasons for communication difficulties.
These are just a few examples of the scams circulating on WhatsApp. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself.
Alt text: The official WhatsApp application icon, showcasing its green and white design against a dark background.
How to Spot a WhatsApp Scam
Recognizing a WhatsApp scam is usually straightforward. Here are some key signs:
- Unknown contact: Be cautious of messages from unknown numbers.
- Too good to be true: Promises of easy money or romance are often scams.
- Generic greetings: Scammers often use generic greetings like “hey” because they send messages to many people.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes: Scammers often make numerous errors.
- Requests for personal information: Be wary of contacts asking for personal information.
- New number: Scammers may claim to be someone you know with a new number.
Steps to Take If You Get Scammed on WhatsApp
If you fall victim to a WhatsApp scam, act quickly:
- Block the scammer and delete the conversation.
- If you shared banking or personal information, freeze your credit, report it to your bank and credit card companies, and follow identity theft recovery steps.
- Change your passwords on all accounts.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on WhatsApp (Settings > Account > Two-step verification).
How to Protect Yourself from Scams on WhatsApp
- Don’t talk to strangers: Avoid engaging with unknown contacts.
- Check your privacy settings: Limit the information visible to others (Settings > Privacy).
- Guard your verification codes: Never share your codes with anyone.
- Report, block, and delete: Report suspicious messages to WhatsApp.
How to Report a WhatsApp Fraud
Reporting scams helps protect others:
- Open the chat with the user you want to report.
- Tap Options and select View contact.
- Tap Report and Block (or only Report).
WhatsApp receives the last five messages from the reported user.
You can also block a user:
- Go to Options > Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked > Add new…
- Search for and select the contact.
- Tap Block.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact local authorities.
With billions of users, WhatsApp is a prime target for scams. By practicing simple security measures, you can stay safe from these threats.
