Technology

WhatsApp users warned over cash scam as criminals exploit group messaging


Fraudsters have found a loophole on WhatsApp (Picture: Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

Criminals have found a way to exploit a popular feature on WhatsApp – the group messaging function.

Cyber criminals are always on the prowl for new ways to get hold of personal information, and now now they have got their eyes set on WhatsApp which boasts 2,000,000,000 monthly users.

WhatsApp users have been warned by fraud experts to look out for strange group messages.

It comes after Action Fraud, a national cyber crime centre with the City of London Police, revealed it had received more than 630 reports this year alone of fraudsters pretending to be a group members in a chat.

How fraudsters use WhatsApp for cash scams

Cyber criminals target big group chats in particular (Picture: Firdous Nazir/Eyepix Group/Shutterstock)

First, a member of a group will get a WhatsApp audio call from a scammer posing as a member of the group, Action Fraud said.

To disguise and gain trust, they might have a false profile picture or name to appear more legitimate.

If you are told to you will get a one-time passcode to join a group video call, this should be a major red flag.

Because next, the criminal will ask for the victim’s passcode to be registered for the call.

However, the code the criminal wants will allow them to register the victim’s WhatsApp account to a new device, enabling the criminal to take over the account.

They will then enable two-step verification to remove victim’s access before targeting their loved ones.

The criminals have messaged other members of the group or friends and family asking for an urgent money transfer.

In particular, those in big group chats should be ‘on their guard and monitor who joins chats,’ DSI Gary Miles, head of the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau at the City of London Police, said.

Action Fraud said its data suggests that the the three most affected group chat types are Islamic religious groups, Christian religious groups and work chats.

A WhatsApp spokesperson said: ‘All personal messages sent on WhatsApp are protected by end-to-end encryption, but we can all play a role in keeping our accounts safe.

‘We recommend that all users set up two-step verification for added security and advise people never to share their six-digit PIN code with others, not even with friends or family.

‘If you receive a suspicious message (even if you think you know who it’s from), calling or requesting a voice-note is the fastest and simplest way to check that someone is who they say they are.’

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