Authorities and cybersecurity experts have issued multiple warnings about a surge in digital scams targeting users of popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and others. These scams employ various tactics, including impersonation, phishing, vishing (voice phishing), and spear phishing, to steal personal information or financial assets. One prevalent scheme is the 'wrong number' scam, in which cybercriminals initiate a conversation by sending a message intended for someone else, then attempt to build trust and extract sensitive information. Another method involves the hijacking and impersonation of WhatsApp accounts, often exploiting voicemail security weaknesses to gain access and then contacting the victim's contacts for further fraud. Financial scams on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are also on the rise, with criminals promising quick returns on fraudulent investments or posing as representatives of legitimate companies. Meta reports that over 7 million accounts linked to financial scams have been dismantled since the beginning of the year, with operations traced to countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. More than 23,000 Facebook pages targeting users in Brazil and India have also been removed, some employing deepfake technology. Some scams specifically target users with investment offers involving cryptocurrency platforms such as Luno and Valr. Other threats include fake meeting invitations via platforms like Zoom and Calendly, distributed through Telegram or X, which may lead to malware installation or wallet draining attacks via Remote Desktop. GBTC holders have also been targeted by phishing campaigns. Organizations such as FourPointZero have reported impersonators contacting users via WhatsApp, while financial institutions like WiZink have warned of vishing attempts using spoofed caller IDs. Cybersecurity agencies, including INCIBE, recommend users remain vigilant by verifying the authenticity of messages and calls, enabling two-factor authentication, using strong PINs for voicemail, and never sharing verification codes or downloading files from untrusted sources.
‼ Alertan sobre las estafas financieras en WhatsApp que prometen dinero rápido https://t.co/810nSjpxQe
Alertan sobre las estafas financieras en WhatsApp que prometen dinero rápido https://t.co/9VHDs1PlaL
The exploiter is trying to get people to set up a calendly meeting and use Remote Desktop to install a wallet drainer. So don’t go to the meeting https://t.co/Hd2n17WRi5