WhatsApp Fraud: Do not click on these 3 messages even by mistake, otherwise you will suffer a big loss!
In this age of social media, it has become common for people to cheat online, especially through platforms like WhatsApp. Cybercriminals are constantly inventing new ways to exploit unsuspecting users. Here, we will discuss some new types of WhatsApp scams.
Cybercriminals often send three main types of fraudulent messages through WhatsApp, luring users into clicking on malicious links, and resulting in them becoming victims of the scam.
Prize-winning message
One of the most popular types of fraudulent messages sent through WhatsApp is the “prize-winning message.” Criminals send messages claiming that users have won a prize with a link or something like a lucky draw. Users are tempted to click on links to claim their rewards, which often leads to fraudsters stealing important data from their phones. Many people fall prey to these fake schemes and end up facing huge losses by clicking on the links.
Job notification message:
With the ongoing unemployment crisis in India, scammers take advantage of people’s desperation for jobs by sending job offers through WhatsApp. These offers are so attractive that people looking for employment immediately fall into the trap of fake job opportunities and click on the links sent by the scammers. Clicking on these links may result in data transfer from the user’s mobile to another device controlled by the scammers. Scammers often create fake forms resembling those from legitimate companies, and ask users to provide their personal information. Users fill and submit these forms, unknowingly providing all the required details to fraudsters.
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Bank Alert Fraud:
Another dangerous method used by scammers is to send fraudulent bank alert messages through WhatsApp. Scammers send messages in the form of bank alerts stating that users need to urgently complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) process of their bank account; Otherwise, their account will be closed, or some amount will be deducted. These messages include links to fake KYC verification along with a phone number, urging users to contact them out of fear. By clicking on these links or contacting the given numbers, users unknowingly give away their personal or banking details to scammers, resulting in financial losses.
Ways to avoid such scams:
Scammers continue to send messages through various mediums, always adopting new and different tactics to defraud users and steal money from their accounts. Therefore, users should never click on any unknown link received through WhatsApp or any other app and avoid contacting suspicious numbers. If users suspect any fraudulent activity, they can lodge a complaint directly with the central government team through the recently launched Chakshu portal.
