WhatsApp group chat scam can lock you out of your WA account

[Retro]

Beware of this WhatsApp group chat scam that will lock you out of your WhatsApp account. However, it relies on social engineering so is easy to repel.

WhatsApp group chat members are being warned criminals could target them, as Action Fraud has received 636 reports from victims of the messaging app in the first six months of 2024.

In this scam, a fraudster joins a group chat, posing as a genuine member using a fake profile picture and name. They reach out to another group member by making an audio call, pretending to be someone familiar to the group. Once they've established this false sense of trust, they claim they need a one-time passcode to join an upcoming video call for the group.

Believing this to be a legitimate request, the victim shares the code, not realizing it allows the scammer to register their WhatsApp account on a new device.

Once the fraudster can access the victim's WhatsApp account, they activate two-step verification, locking the real owner out. The scammer then messages other group members, friends, or family, pretending to need money and exploiting the victim's contacts for financial gain.

Scam Alert: How Fraudsters Are Exploiting WhatsApp Group Chats and What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

WhatsApp group chat members are being warned criminals could target them, as Action Fraud has received 636 reports from victims of the messaging app in the first six months of 2024.

www.bitdefender.com