March 10, 2023, 2:11 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Scammers are constantly coming up with new schemes to access their victims’ data or money. TECHBOOK compiles the latest scams circulating on the popular service WhatsApp.
The messaging app WhatsApp is the undisputed number one worldwide, with over 2 billion users. It also leads by a wide margin in Germany. In 2021, over 80 percent of Germans used WhatsApp, and the trend is rising. This popularity makes the app and its users a prime target for scammers. Be wary of these WhatsApp scams.
Overview
Sweepstakes Lures with 2000 Euros
Currently, a scam is circulating on WhatsApp that targets users’ personal data. As reported by the portal Mimikama, a supposed sweepstakes offers 2000 euros. This is allegedly part of the 50th anniversary of the airline Singapore Airlines. To participate in the fake sweepstakes, users are instructed to click on a link sent via WhatsApp.
However, those who follow the link end up on a site that looks almost identical to the airline’s official page. It’s actually a visual clone, as revealed by the URL. On this site, users are asked to register with personal data such as their name, birth date, address, email, and phone number. Victims can expect a flood of spam and their data may be misused elsewhere, such as for signing up for subscriptions in others’ names.
As is common with such messages, users are urged to forward the WhatsApp message to at least 20 more contacts or five groups to spread the scam further.
Grandchild Scam Also Circulates on WhatsApp
Another scam increasingly circulating via the messenger is the so-called grandchild scam. This is already known in other forms, mainly as a phone call or SMS. Even the police and the LKA (State Criminal Police Office) frequently warn about this scam, where fraudsters pose as close relatives, often as a grandchild. Older people are often targeted, selected by their first names from the phone book.
The supposed relative contacts the victim via WhatsApp, feigning urgent financial trouble. They might claim to have lost their phone or even be blackmailed, needing a certain amount of money quickly. This builds psychological pressure on the victims. It’s always best to personally verify with the recipient if a money request is legitimate to avoid falling for a scam.
TECHBOOK has also encountered a case where this scam was attempted on someone via WhatsApp.
“Grandchild Scam” Circulates Again on WhatsApp
Spot Phone Scammers Instantly With This Tip
Call Scam on WhatsApp
WhatsApp allows users not only to chat but also to make calls. A particular scam targets this feature, frequently warned against, and is more technical in nature. Users receive a message urging them to call a specific number–TECHBOOK reported. Incentives often include sweepstakes or the promise of a new WhatsApp feature.
The numbers are recognizable by specific digit sequences. The combination known in Germany is **21*, though this can change. Entering these digits can, at worst, give scammers access to the user’s WhatsApp account. These characters are a GSM code, which can serve as a control command for the smartphone.
Fake WhatsApp Voice Messages
If you suddenly receive unsolicited, ominous voice messages on WhatsApp, do not attempt to listen to them. These are yet another scam. Tapping “Play” leads to a phishing site. Particularly insidious: Unlike many other scams, you are not asked to provide specific data. You are merely asked to confirm that you are not a robot–a request commonly encountered online.
As with all other scams, verify the source. If you cannot be absolutely sure that a message is from a trusted contact, never click on links or similar. It’s best to block suspicious numbers directly through the messenger.