The advisory issued by the Cyber Crime Wing of the Greater Chennai Police has highlighted a concerning trend of WhatsApp-related scams, specifically focusing on the increasing instances of account hijacking through deceptive OTP tricks. This advisory comes in response to numerous cases where unsuspecting users have fallen victim to these scams, resulting in substantial financial losses and emotional distress.
One such case involved a city resident who received a six-digit OTP via SMS from an unfamiliar number, claiming it was mistakenly sent and requesting the OTP back. Trusting the message, the victim shared the OTP, only to have their WhatsApp account compromised moments later. The fraudster then took control of the account and began soliciting money from the victim’s contacts under the pretense of a medical emergency.
Another incident highlighted the emotional manipulation tactics used by scammers, where a Chennai resident received a message from a hacked contact requesting money for a supposed emergency. Believing it to be genuine, the victim sent a significant amount of money before realizing the deception during a conversation with the actual friend.
Explaining the modus operandi of these scams, a senior officer from the Cyber Crime Wing emphasized the initial step of sending an OTP via SMS, followed by convincing the victim to share the code under false pretenses. Once the OTP is obtained, the fraudster gains full access to the victim’s WhatsApp account, allowing them to carry out their deceptive activities.
To protect oneself from falling prey to such scams, officials recommend re-registering immediately if one’s WhatsApp account is compromised, enabling two-step verification, and refraining from sharing OTPs or verification codes, even if the request appears to be from a known contact. Vigilance and skepticism are crucial when dealing with unexpected requests for personal information or financial assistance on WhatsApp.
Authorities advise users to report any suspicious activity to the nearest cyber crime cell or through the national cyber crime portal to prevent further incidents of fraud and safeguard the online community from falling victim to such scams. By staying informed and following the recommended security measures, individuals can minimize the risk of becoming targets of cyber criminals operating through platforms like WhatsApp.