Cybersecurity Experts Urge Users to Lookout for Rise in Money Scams on WhatsApp

Hackers have been using the popular messaging social media platform WhatsApp to scam users, cyber security expert warns.

With the hackers finding new ways to scam people, WhatsApp users find themselves being victims of money scams going around the communication platform.

Thuli Madonsela, former Public Protector is among the latest victims of WhatsApp money scam. Madonsela revealed that she was scammed of about R10,000 with more users who were also similarly scammed.

Internet security ESET said hackers were tricking users into revealing personal information, making payments to fraudulent accounts, or downloading malware.

According to EyeWitnessNews Some of the most common WhatsApp scams include phishing, where fraudsters send messages from what appears to be a legitimate source, such as a business account. The account would prompt users to click on a link or would ask them for personal information.

Romance scams were also on the rise where scammers used WhatsApp and dating sites to scam people into giving them money.

Lucas Molefe, Technical consultant at ESET, asked WhatsApp users to be careful of the texts they receive.

“Basically, it’s a matter of being very cautious of the things we click on, the things we see, and also be very mindful.”

“There’s something very important that we don’t look at that I want to underline: the two-step verification. This is basically having an extra password in your WhatsApp account.”

He also asked users to not give out any personal information, banking details and passwords.