Las whatsapp scams they are one of the main problems that the messaging platform currently has, since they are difficult to detect and target the most vulnerable users of the application (generally elderly people).
With this in mind, from the cybersecurity company ESET issued a report indicating which are the most common scams that can be suffered on WhatsApp. Here we highlight three especially dangerous.
Random hoaxes to obtain personal data
One of the most common ways to scam people on WhatsApp is by sending a message to strangers with the following content: “Hello, how are you? Greetings from a distance. Sending you a big hug.”
As indicated from ESET, this type of message usually catches the victim off guard and leads them to ask about the identity of the sender. At that point, the answer is usually: “I imagine you remember who is writing to you from abroad, right?“.
If at that moment the victim responds with a name, most likely to fall for the scam. It happens that when this personal information is obtained, the first thing that is done is to ask for money, arguing that it is needed for plane tickets, medical treatment or similar issues.
WhatsApp account hijacking
Another of the ways in which fraudsters operate to commit their crimes is hijacking WhatsApp accounts. When the app is installed on a new device, you must enter the phone number associated with our account and a six-digit verification code to validate the identity of the user sent by SMS. This process is exploited by attackers looking to take control of users.
The victim receives a text message on his cell phone or via WhatsApp asking if you can please resend the six-digit code that was mistakenly sent to your phone. The message may be from a contact who has lost access to their account or from an unknown number.
If the unsuspecting victim accesses and resends the code that unexpectedly arrived, it is likely that they will lose control of their WhatsApp account if they did not have two-factor authentication enabled.
Phishing scams on WhatsApp
The WhatsApp account hijacking problem it also has the effect that criminals ask victims’ contacts for money. In many cases, there is no question about sending money because it is a relative or acquaintance, while in reality they are criminals who stole a person’s identity.
Another common way to scam on WhatsApp is by impersonating official government agencies. Criminals communicate through chat or voice calls from company accounts that include the organization’s logo.
The messages try to make the victim believe that they are eligible to receive financial aid from the state or a bonus, but that in order to prove it, the bank account credentials are necessary. Many times payments are also requested for maintenance or to cover debts and to be able to receive the money.
The chronicler
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