Around 237 people have fallen for phishing scams involving fake WhatsApp Web pages, resulting in total losses amounting to at least S$606,000 since the start of this month, according to a recent advisory from the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
Scammers trick users into clicking on unverified URL links as they search for the official WhatsApp Web webpage and use compromised WhatsApp accounts belonging to the victims to reach out to their family or friends in the contact list.
Scammers impersonate victims, presenting reasons including personal needs, paying for a purchase, helping a friend, and medical emergencies to convince them to lend money, it added.
Subsequently, victims would then be asked to transfer money to unfamiliar bank accounts or PayNow numbers, supposedly belonging to the WhatsApp users’ family or friends.
Victims would realise they had been scammed after contacting or being contacted by their family and friends who claim not to have received any money.
The police have advised members of the public to enable WhatsApp’s two-step verification feature, ensuring they are using WhatsApp Web’s official website and to be wary of any unusual requests received on the messaging platform.
The police said the following precautionary measures also help:
- ADD – Security features to your WhatsApp account by enabling the ‘Two-Step Verification feature. This can be done by opening WhatsApp and going to ‘Settings’ → ‘Account’ → ‘Two-step verification’ → ‘Enable’. Set a device code and be aware of who has physical access to your phone.
- CHECK – You are on WhatsApp Web’s official website. Be wary of unusual requests received over WhatsApp, even if they were sent by your WhatsApp contacts. Check your linked devices regularly. Go to WhatsApp settings > linked devices to review all devices linked to your account. To remove a linked device, tap the device > Log Out.
- TELL – authorities, family, and friends about scams. Never share your WhatsApp account verification codes, personal information, banking details, and OTPs with anyone; report any fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately.
One should also refrain from sharing WhatsApp account verification codes and check linked devices on WhatsApp regularly, the police added.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688.
