WhatsApp Hacking: New trick of fraudsters to cheat people
Hyderabad: As technology is improving and awareness about cybernetic frauds is increasing, scammers are constantly updating and coming up with new tricks. In a new type of fraud, cyber fraudsters are duping people by making unwanted calls from suspicious numbers in WhatsApp.
Finally, the cyber crime agencies of Pune and Pimpri Chinnawad police have received queries about criminals who steal people’s WhatsApp accounts and demand money from the victims or people in their contact list.
In this deadly fraud, scammers/hackers manipulate and send victims’ calls and messages to specific numbers to obtain OTP and then log into their WhatsApp accounts.
Experts say scammers are deceiving people by using a strategy that involves marking a specific number or sending a text message in a particular format to specific numbers, causing mobile service providers to block users’ calls and messages. Allow to divert. And other numbers.
According to a news in Times of India, an inspector of Pune’s Cyber Police Commissionerate said that the number of such inquiries has increased recently because cyber criminals are applying this technique to trap people.
How to identify fake calls/scams?
Ignore generic messages like “Hola”, “Hola” coming from unknown numbers
Do not give any personal information to people who send you messages or calls from unknown numbers.
Don’t let it proceed out of urgency or pressure. Scammers will try to send spam by creating a sense of urgency to ensure that people fall into their trap quickly and without thinking.
Do not click on suspicious links sent through WhatsApp
How to avoid becoming a victim of this fraud?
Control who can see your activity in WhatsApp
Hide your profile photo from people who are not your contacts
Control who can see when you last connected
Don’t be part of groups that connect people using numbers you don’t know.
Limit your groups to trusted members and avoid adding unknown people to your groups.
Don’t respond to messages from unknown numbers, especially if you’re asking for money or your personal information.
Block/condemn those you suspect.
Some things that will help you or your loved ones not to become a victim of this situation: Install the latest version of WhatsApp; Use third-party applications to identify spammers and create awareness among people about these types of emails and share the information with your loved ones.
