People who respond to the fraudulent SMS are then locked out of their WhatsApp account, surrendering personal and intimate details – Image via Adobe Stock
People who respond to the fraudulent SMS are then locked out of their WhatsApp account, surrendering personal and intimate details – Image via Adobe Stock
The SA Police Service (SAPS) has issued a statement on Wednesday, concerning a WhatsApp scam that is now doing the rounds in Mzansi. A fake message is sent to recipients, and if people comply with the request, their social media accounts will get ‘hijacked’.
WhatsApp message hijacking scam: What is the message to avoid?
Law enforcement officials are imploring South Africans to simply block and report the message, which asks targets to send on a six-digit code contained in the scammer’s initial communication. The message YOU MUST NOT REPLY TO reads like this:
“Hello, I’m sorry I sent you a six digit code by SMS by mistake, can you transfer it to me it’s urgent”
SAPS urge caution amongst WhatsApp users
A number of SA citizens have already fallen foul of this scam, which hands over the personal and intimate details of an individual to these unscrupulous criminals. Under no circumstances must you share a code with an unknown number, regardless of the circumstances.
#sapsHINT [SCAM ALERT] There are constantly new scams. Always be sceptical, never share any personal info with anyone. A new WhatsApp scam is making the rounds where scammers are hijacking people’s WhatsApp accounts. Keep your WhatsApp account safe. MEhttps://t.co/lHQJqUiWwL pic.twitter.com/jaWgCUJDhs
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) June 22, 2022
Hijacking scam: Users asked to ‘block and report’ SMS request number
In their official response, SAPS are telling WhatsApp users to avoid this hijacking, by taking steps to block all routes of communication with the scammers. Their advice is to ‘always remain skeptical’, and stay vigilant when it comes to exchanges with strangers.
“A new WhatsApp message scam is making the rounds where scammers are hijacking people’s WhatsApp accounts. You will receive an SMS by a person, claiming that they sent you a six-digit code by mistake. They will ask you to share that code as a matter of urgency.”
“If you received an SMS with a six-digit code, you should not share that code with anyone. If you send that code to a scammer, they can log into your WhatsApp account. You should then block and report the number, so they cannot contact you again.”
SAPS statement on fraudulent WhatsApp message
