April 9, 2026, 12:45 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Be cautious when downloading apps outside official app stores: Scammers are using manipulated versions of WhatsApp to gain access to other devices. These fake apps look deceptively real and are hard to distinguish from the original version.
WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging services globally and is installed on millions of devices. Criminals are exploiting this widespread use to distribute malware and spy on data. You should be especially careful if apps come from unknown sources.
Affected Users in Italy
According to the Italian news agency “ANSA,” Meta’s security team has identified a manipulated version of WhatsApp. Around 200 users are said to have fallen for the fake, most of them in Italy.
An Italian company specializing in spyware is behind the fake app. WhatsApp responded immediately by logging out the affected users. They were also informed about the risks to privacy and data security. WhatsApp urged them to delete the fake app and use only the official version.
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How the Scam Works
According to WhatsApp, the perpetrators rely on social engineering. They attempt to gain the victims’ trust by disguising the manipulated app as the official WhatsApp version. Installing the app gives criminals access to personal data. In the worst case, they can monitor the entire smartphone.
WhatsApp emphasizes that the genuine version of the messenger is not affected. Vulnerabilities only exist in the installation of the fake app.
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Security Tips for Users
WhatsApp announced plans to take legal action against those responsible and is considering further measures. The company also recommends downloading apps only from official stores such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Users should be cautious of optimized or supposedly improved versions and not fall for dubious offers or additional promises.