Redactie Xafax
In most cases, internet criminals target your bank account in order to quickly steal money. We now know how to recognize phishing emails in the name of the bank. But what if an 'acquaintance' suddenly asks you for money on WhatsApp? More and more people are falling victim to this. This is how you prevent WhatsApp fraud.
Most people now know that an app or text message from their bank cannot be trusted and that is why scammers are always coming up with new ways to get your money. A commonly used way is to ask for a transfer via a link via WhatsApp. Of course, no one simply transfers money to a stranger, which is why the scammers pretend to be someone they know, for example a good friend or child.
The criminal searches online for the details of an acquaintance and copies the name and profile photo. He then creates a profile in WhatsApp with the photo and name of your acquaintance. The conversation starts with an excuse. The celebrity has lost his smartphone and has a new number. Then there is a request for money. For example, a child asks for 1,200 euros to pay the energy bill or a good friend who is on holiday says he needs money for a plane ticket back home.
There is a hurry, so the 'acquaintance' asks if the money can be transferred quickly. Of course everything will be reimbursed properly. To increase the pressure, the scammer calls via WhatsApp and hangs up before the victim can answer and WhatsApp shows missed voice calls. This makes it all seem even more urgent
Many victims of this trick do not think twice about transferring money, because it concerns someone they know. When it later turns out that the acquaintance in question did not make any contact at all, it only becomes clear that the money has disappeared.
The advice is therefore to always call the person who urgently needs money or to meet with him or her in person. When you insist on calling, the scammers usually give up quickly, because the moment they answer the phone, their digital disguise is gone.
Payment requests via WhatsApp
Not only do scammers make payment requests via WhatsApp by pretending to be someone they know, the Marktplaatskoper is also a popular identity that scammers adopt. They find you via the second-hand sales site and usually immediately offer the asking price for the item you have for sale.
However, they supposedly want to verify your identity, because there are many scammers active on Marktplaats. That is why the buyer - ironically - wants you to transfer 0.01 euro cents, so that he can check whether you are who you say you are.
The scammer usually immediately sends a payment link, with which you can transfer the innocent-looking amount of 0.01 euro cents. The link leads to a website that is barely distinguishable from that of your bank and you can transfer the 0.01 euro cents without any difficulty.
What actually happens is that the scammer steals your bank details via the site and can now access your account. The thief can then withdraw money from your account without any problems.
To prevent this, you should never just click on a payment link. With someone you don't know, it is better not to work with payment links at all, but to make a regular bank transfer or pay in cash for a sale via Marktplaats.
Report WhatsApp fraud
Have you become a victim after all? Then you can report WhatsApp fraud on the Dutch police website. Because it happens so often, a separate place has been set up for it. The chance that you will see your money back is small, but this way you will help identify the bigger problem. Which goes a long way in combating this form of cybercrime.
Three tips to protect yourself against WhatsApp fraud
Shield your social media
The fraudsters usually do thorough preliminary research before they get started. Your Facebook profile or Instagram account is the basis. This helps them find out who you are with, what your father or daughter's name is and how they can ask for money. So if your personal information cannot be found on the internet, you immediately make it a lot more difficult for scammers.
Of course it is good to cover your own data, but it also helps if your social environment does so. Of course you cannot demand that from your colleague. However, together as a family you can ensure that your data is misused as little as possible. This way you prevent, for example, your grandmother from becoming a victim of fraud.
Recognize fraud on WhatsApp
Although WhatsApp scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, they can be recognized by common characteristics. For example, the fraudster, who pretends to be a close friend or family member, asks for a quick transfer of money. There is an emergency situation, while your so-called son or sister cannot access his or her own money.
In addition, one scammer is not the same as another. In this way, scammer 1 pretends to be someone from your social environment who has switched providers. At the same time, scammer 2 may have actually succeeded in hacking into the WhatsApp account of a loved one. Therefore, always verify in a way other than WhatsApp whether it is really the person asking for money.
Secure your WhatsApp
A scammer will of course appear most credible if he manages to enter your WhatsApp account. To succeed, he needs your verification code. By enabling two-step verification you make it much more difficult for the scammer to take over your account.
You can enable two-step verification with Android by pressing the 3 vertical dots at the top right of the WhatsApp home screen. Then select 'Settings' and then 'Account'. Then click 'Two-Step Verification' and then 'Enable'. You will then be asked to enter a 6-digit PIN, which the hacker will need to enter your account.
You can enable 2-Step Verification with iOS by pressing 'Settings' at the bottom of your screen from the home screen. Select 'Account' and then '2-Step Verification'. Then press 'Enable' and enter a 6-digit PIN.
It is important for both operating systems to remember the code, as you will need it when switching to a new phone. That's why WhatsApp also asks for your email address at the end of the verification, in case you forget the code.
Did you follow the tips? Then share the article with people you know well. This way you prevent scammers from asking you for money via their WhatsApp accounts.
Sources: Computertotaal & Want
