Warning, nasty scam!
A WhatsApp message from a friend can lead to the loss of your WhatsApp account.
The content of the message is always similar.
A
scam
is currently
in circulation
via the
WhatsApp
messenger
service
.
The deceptive
message
reaches the user via the chat with an
acquaintance
- or even a best friend.
In the end you lose your own WhatsApp account.
The fraudster can cause
great harm
.
Munich - The
messenger app "WhatsApp"
, which is now part of the American Facebook group, is the
number one
communication channel
for many people
.
It is all the more annoying when your own chat account is suddenly
blocked
.
Even more annoying when you know that
fraudsters have
their fingers in the game.
WhatsApp: Warning, lousy number with a message from a friend
The latter is currently being
warned
by several portals
.
According to media reports, there is currently a
fraudulent message
circulating on WhatsApp
that is
tough.
In the end, your own account could even end up in the
hands of fraudsters
.
It all starts with a WhatsApp message from a
friend
or even a
best friend
, as
reported by
oe24.at.
WhatsApp: Warning, lousy number with a message from a friend - a code is required
Warning, bad Whatsapp scam: Such messages come from real contacts in your address book - and you get a code via SMS.
However, the accounts were hacked and if you forward the code, your account is gone too.
Never react!
☝🏻 pic.twitter.com/wgkFGZiaiC
- Mirko Drotschmann (@ MrWissen2Go) November 13, 2020
"Hello, sorry, I accidentally sent you a
6-digit code via SMS
.
Can you please pass it on to me
It's urgent, ”is the message, for example.
Sent by a
trusted contact
- but their WhatsApp account has already been hacked.
And in the same way as the
fraudster
tries again, explains the consumer
portal chip.de.
WhatsApp: Fraudulent scam via a friend - code sent by SMS
In fact,
seconds later
a code
arrives
via SMS.
You normally need this to set up
your Whatsapp account
with the associated
mobile phone number
on
your
own smartphone - also known as "verification".
This is what the fraudster tries to do with a scam: On his
cell phone
, with your number and the
code
that he absolutely needs.
WhatsApp: journalist and book author warns of the scam - further crimes could follow
According to
journalist Mirko Drotschmann
alias
MrWissen2Go
, it is best not to react to this message, otherwise the
account
would be
gone.
Chip.de
explains the
serious consequences
that could then occur: "The takeover of the WhatsApp account [...] serves to prepare for further
criminal offenses
.
Since the scammers can impersonate you, these accounts are usually used to commit further crimes.
Often it is about fraud, which
results in
high
financial damage
. ”If you have already fallen
for the scam,
the consumer portal has provided useful immediate measures on the homepage.
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List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / Ritchie B. Tongo / EPA FILE / dpa