WhatsApp users should not pick up voice and video calls or even respond to messages from unknown numbers that often use foreign codes
WhatsApp users are reporting an unusually high number of scams since the past few weeks which is turning into an alarming issue. These calls and messages often come from these codes: Ethiopia (+251), Malaysia (+60), Indonesia (+62), Kenya (+254), Vietnam (+84) and others
There are two prominent WhatsApp scams that are currently doing the rounds in India: Job Vacancy Fraud and Video Call Fraud
As the name suggests, this scam offers unsuspecting WhatsApp users unusually high paying jobs with next to no effort. However, its just a way to leak bank details
WhatsApp scammers pitch extremely high salaries to vulnerable users. They can offer up to Rs 10,000 per day for the simple task of liking YouTube videos. They will even share the links to the YouTube videos and will ask users to share screenshots on WhatsApp and Telegram after liking the videos
As soon as the user shares the screenshot via their Telegram account, they will be asked to provide their account details in order to pay the due amount. However, that's just a trick to extract sensitive bank details which can be used to sweep the user's account clean
This scam is more sinister and often resorts to blackmailing innocent users. The user will get video calls from unknown numbers and most of the accounts will have pictures of attractive-looking people
As soon as the user picks up the call, the other party will start playing vulgar videos, often related to sex and the scammer will start screen recording. This gives the impression that the user is watching compromising material
The scammer then blackmails the user for money and threatens to share the video online and with their known contacts if they don't pay the ransom
The obvious and most effective way to stay safe is to not return text messages or pick up video calls from strangers. The user will also have the option to block and report these WhatsApp numbers