2023-07-13 18:53:00
WhatsApp has been a platform ripe for scams and fraud over the years. Criminals adapt and develop new tactics to trick users and gain illicit benefits. It is the widely used messaging platform, in Brazil it is easy to say that it is the most used. Now let’s take a look at some of the more notorious scams and how they’ve evolved over time.
2022: Air Tickets Coup
In the airline ticket scam, criminals impersonated well-known airlines, such as Iberia, and promised to give away free tickets to popular destinations. Users were directed to a fake website where they were asked to fill out a survey and play a game to win the prize. This scam exploited user trust and the search for attractive offers.
2022: Account Stealing Scam
The WhatsApp account theft scam involved hackers who exploited the call forwarding service of telephone operators. They convinced victims to call a specific number and set up call forwarding using MMI codes. Hackers gained access to WhatsApp verification code through voice calls and took control of victims’ accounts. This scam demonstrated the sophistication of criminals in exploiting vulnerabilities in telecommunications services.
2020 – 2021: Pandemic Scams
With the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have found a new way to scam people. Some known scams involved the promise of free masks, vaccines, or tests for COVID-19. The user was taken to false pages to provide their personal information, or had their data stolen through supposedly useful applications to deal with the pandemic situation.
2019: FGTS coup
FGTS
The 2019 coup involved fraudulent messages regarding the release of PIS/Pasep and FGTS funds. The fraudster sent a message with a link for the user to check if he was able to receive the benefit. When clicking, the user was directed to a false page, where his personal and banking information was requested.
2018: Valentine’s Day Coup
A specific Valentine’s Day scam surfaced in 2018. One message promised gift coupons from famous brands. During the process, the victim was asked to fill out a questionnaire with his personal information, which fell directly into the hands of the scammers.
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2017: Subscription Scams and VIP Invitations
In 2017, WhatsApp scams focused on premium subscriptions and VIP invites. Scammers promised free subscription for one year to Netflix or Spotify if the victim shared the message with 10 contacts. For VIP invitations, the victim would click on a link that would supposedly take them to an invitation to exclusive events.
2016: Video Call Coup
“Video calls for everyone!” – was what users expected in 2016. Scammers took advantage of this anticipation to create a scam where they promised new functionality before the official launch. The scam involved the victim receiving a message to activate the feature, upon clicking on the link provided, the user was redirected to a fraudulent website.
2015: Fake Discount Voucher
This was the year of the infamous voucher scam. The user received a message promising discounts at well-known stores like Zara or Starbucks, but he had to share the message with a specific number of contacts before being able to receive the promised voucher. Once the victim clicked on the link, they were directed to a phishing website where confidential information might be stolen.
These are just a few examples of the many scams that have taken place on WhatsApp over the years. Criminals continue to adapt and find new ways to trick users. It is essential that users are always alert and take steps to protect their personal information and avoid falling prey to scams.
how to protect yourself
Be wary of promotions and sweepstakes that are too good to be true. Check the authenticity of the information before sharing or providing personal data. Never click on suspicious links or download apps from untrustworthy sources. Be aware of your WhatsApp security settings, such as two-step authentication, to protect your account. Verify the authenticity of messages and information received through a quick internet search. Educate yourself on common scams and be alert for signs of fraud, such as misspellings and requests for personal information.
Remember, online security is a shared responsibility. Be aware of WhatsApp scams and protect yourself to enjoy a safe experience while using the application.
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