Highlighting the Top Five WhatsApp Scams That Caught Indians Off Guard in 2023
Unveiling the Explosive Rise of Deceptive WhatsApp Scams in 2023.
Meta’s WhatsApp received a lot of new features, and some of these features also paved the way for new WhatsApp scams in 2023. Most of these scams were aimed at stealing personal data, and some of these scams can also be directly associated with financial fraud.
Here are some of the most deceptive WhatsApp scams of 2023 that looted people:
WhatsApp video-calling scam
WhatsApp video call scams surged in 2023. Scammers befriended users on social media to acquire their phone numbers. They’d then initiate video calls and record them, potentially using the footage for blackmail, urging victims to delete the objectionable videos and photos. To stay safe, avoid accepting video calls from unknown numbers and consider the “silence unknown numbers” option.
Friend in distress scam
Another prevalent scheme was the “friend in distress” scam. Hackers impersonated friends or family members, pleading for urgent financial assistance. They’d manipulate victims into adding their devices as companion smartphones, allowing them to scam their contacts further. Always call your friend before transferring money to stay safe from this scam.
Friendship gift scam
Scammers cultivated fake friendships with users, eventually sending them “gifts” that became mysteriously stuck at customs due to unspecified content. Victims were then lured into paying hefty sums to clear the supposed customs hurdle. This elaborate scam involved building trust and utilising convincing photos and videos to victims.
Screen mirroring scam
Capitalising on WhatsApp’s new screen mirroring feature, scammers sought to steal one-time passwords (OTPs). By convincing users to activate screen mirroring, they gained remote access to their smartphones, potentially intercepting sensitive login information and financial details.
Phishing scam
In a fresh guise, the classic phishing scam emerged on WhatsApp this year. Users encountered messages containing tempting purchase links for their favorite products, offered at unbelievably low prices. These deceptive links replicated the appearance of URLs from reputable e-commerce platforms such as Flipkart and Amazon. Clicking on these links led users to enter their e-commerce credentials, which scammers exploited to make unauthorized purchases—often in the form of gift cards—on genuine platforms. If you chance upon a link offering your preferred phone or laptop at less than half its original price, exercise caution, as it may be too good to be true.
