Scams on WhatsApp: Cybercriminals Impersonate the Voices

Thousands of Scams on WhatsApp: They Impersonate the Voices of Your Parents and Best Friends, Be Careful

Cybercriminals also pose as workers from public service companies or banks

Identity theft through phone calls and messages in applications like WhatsApp has become one of the most frequent threats in the field of cybersecurity. This criminal activity affects the name and honor of those affected and can lead to the loss of a lot of money.

This type of fraud, known as telephone spoofing, uses advanced technological tools to falsify the caller ID, making victims believe they are interacting with close people or legitimate institutions.

Here’s how this new scam modality works, which can steal personal information and large sums of money through various forms of manipulation.

How telephone spoofing works on WhatsApp

The spoofing process begins with gathering basic information about the victims. According to the National Institute of Cybersecurity in Spain (Incibe), criminals obtain personal data through leaked emails, social networks, or public information available on the internet.

Once they have the necessary data, they manipulate the caller ID so that the number appearing on the victim’s device matches that of a friend, family member, or trusted entity such as a bank or service company.

With this appearance of authenticity, scammers use social engineering tactics to gain the trust of their targets. They may pose as a representative of the banking entity, alerting about an urgent problem or even requesting personal or financial data.

In other cases, they pretend to be an acquaintance, friend, or family member of the victim who is in trouble, asking for immediate financial help to solve a problem.

What are the consequences of this type of scam on WhatsApp

The consequences of this type of fraud are significant. Victims not only face economic losses derived from fraudulent payments or transfers but also risks of impersonation or identity theft.

This may include the improper use of personal information to open bank accounts, apply for loans, or make online purchases without the knowledge of the affected person.

Moreover, the damage is not limited to individuals. Legitimate companies and organizations also face a negative impact, as this type of fraud can generate distrust among users, making future commercial or banking interactions difficult.

Which sectors are most impersonated

Telephone spoofing particularly affects certain sectors that are immersed in the entire society and can generate more alarm in a few seconds:

• Banking and finance: criminals often pose as bank employees, requesting sensitive data such as account numbers, passwords, or verification codes.
• Public services: in some cases, scammers pose as electric companies to warn about supposed service cuts and demand immediate payments.
• Telecommunications: scammers offer false benefits such as service improvements or exclusive discounts in exchange for personal information.
• Incibe points out that the impact in developing countries, where cybernetic prevention and education strategies are limited, can be even more severe, widening the trust and security gaps between users and service providers.

How they scam through WhatsApp

Along with phone calls, cybercriminals have taken spoofing to popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp.

In this case, scammers clone profiles or use similar numbers to simulate being a known contact. They send messages requesting money under urgent pretexts, such as medical emergencies or legal problems.

A common case consists of messages like: “Hi, I’m your [relative or friend]. I’ve changed my number. I need urgent help, can you transfer me money?” These requests often include specific details that reinforce the victim’s trust.

How to prevent telephone spoofing

The National Institute of Cybersecurity of Spain (Incibe) and other cybersecurity organizations issued various recommendations to protect against this type of fraud:

• If you receive a call or message requesting sensitive information or money, verify the authenticity by contacting the sender directly through another means.
• Never give personal information, financial details, or passwords over the phone or in messaging applications or platforms.
• Keeping operating systems and applications updated reduces vulnerabilities that scammers can exploit.
• Limit the amount of personal information visible publicly to make it difficult for scammers to collect data.
• Also, institutions and technology companies must implement solutions to combat spoofing. This includes adopting advanced authentication protocols, alert systems to detect fraudulent activities, and awareness campaigns aimed at the public.

Links

• 13 WhatsApp scams to know and avoid in 2024 – Norton
• Sell your old cell phone online – iGotOffer

Avoid WhatsApp Scams in 2024 | How WhatsApp Scams Work? [Video]

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