WhatsApp fraud: How simple messages can trap you

WhatsApp fraud: How simple messages can trap you


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They are inconspicuous and could have come from a good friend. Fraudsters are currently trying their luck with WhatsApp users with short and simple messages. But one point should make you suspicious.

  • Con artists to use Whatsapp for their machinations
  • Suspicious WhatsApp messages: Detect and delete immediately
  • Scam messages often start with “Haven’t heard from you in a long time”
  • Malware when clicking on a link or opening media
  • Messages mostly out Malaysia or Singapore

It is hardly surprising that Fraudsters use the messaging service WhatsApp for their machinations, considering that according to a report from the technology website TechCrunchwhich refers to statements by Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, about every day 100 billion messages sent via the service. The fraudsters are trying to get data using increasingly bold tricks. Be it a blue version of the popular messenger service or the WhatsApp “grandchild trick”, the perpetrators keep trying their luck. They are usually successful when their victims are unsuspecting Only realize fraud later.

Suspicious WhatsApp messages: You should delete these immediately

The scam that this article and the video above is about relies on this hope. It all starts with a simple message. This, one might assume, comes from a person who is after that well-being of the recipient inquired. Is this an old friend who has long disappeared from the scene writing?

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The beginning of the message could indicate this. The dangerous ones Scam messages usually begin with “We haven’t heard from you for a long time” – either in German or English. No link, no image. Just a normal message.

But anyone who goes into this now will face problems. Sooner or later the scammers will send you real people at the other end of the conversation are images, a video or links. He the Media opens or click on the link, you fall into the trap of the scammers.

WhatsApp message from scammers: This is how you recognize them

They are mostly looking for data, which can also happen after clicking on the link Malware in the background install. This allows fraudsters to spy on the smartphone or even take control of it. Annoyance is often the least of users’ worries.

Anyone who receives a message like this should delete unread and report the contact to WhatsApp. The attempted fraud is visible at first glance: Anyone who sees the messages in the overview can use the Sender’s cell phone number quickly conclude that there is fraud.

The news mainly comes from Malaysia or Singaporeso have area codes of +60 or +65. Anyone who reports the sender to the WhatsApp operators can also help other users: Will they Account blockedthen he can no longer annoy other users.

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Preview image: © AdobeStock/Alex Ruhl

Source: German