Reports of a WhatsApp scam have been circulating as recently as October 2022. Then, the scammer uses social engineering techniques – such as claiming their online bank account isn’t working, or that they've lost files and pictures – to extort money and/or personal information out of the unsuspecting victim ( Image credit: Mosman Collective). Who do people trust the most? Often it’s their family members – which is why an increasing number of WhatsApp scams involve malicious actors impersonating victims' nearest and dearest.Ī much-seen iteration of this scam is commonly known as the ‘Hi Mom, Hi Dad” scam, and involves the threat actor pretending to be a parent’s child with a new phone number. Obtain your personally identifiable information.īeing able to identify common causes of WhatsApp scamming will help you stay safe and ensure you aren’t duped by the con artists lurking around on the platform.įamily Member Impersonation Scams on WhatsApp.Broadly, scammers usually want to do one of three things: Maybe it’s a family member who needs financial support immediately, or a representative of a celebrity asking you to donate to their new cause. WhatsApp scams are often sent out en masse, and try to invoke a sense of urgency in the sender. This page is regularly updated to include the latest scams on WhatsApp, and currently includes:Īlthough WhatsApp scam pictures can be found all over the internet, scammers change the format of their messages regularly, so it’s good to familiarise yourself with the types of scams you may encounter on WhatsApp, as well as common tactics used by malicious actors. We have compiled a list of scams that have been spotted on the platform in 2022, accompanied by WhatsApp scam pictures. Last year, US citizens alone lost $770 million to social media scams – and in 2022, malicious actors are continuing to turn to WhatsApp to find their next victims.

Unfortunately, the sheer size and global reach of the platform make WhatsApp scams commonplace, just like other social media. WhatsApp is a huge social media platform, with over 2 billion accounts worldwide and over 75 million users in the United States.

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