‘WhatsApp winner’: Don’t fall victim to this latest scam

No, you did not win, it is a scam. It’s the oldest trick in the book and yet, a recent WhatsApp scam doing the rounds – about winning a prize – continues to catch many.

A surge in hacking activities has been reported to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), who warn WhatsApp users to remain vigilant.

ALSO READ: Online scams on the rise, warn Richards Bay police

RUSA has received an influx of calls from individuals across KZN in recent weeks, who have all had their accounts hacked.

Scammers obtain the contact information of individuals from public groups, and load a WhatsApp profile onto their mobile device.

They receive a notification from WhatsApp requesting a six-digit activation code, which is sent to the registered user.

The scammer then messages their target, informing them that they have won a competition and need to provide the code sent to their number, to qualify for the prize.

Individuals who provide the requested verification code are blocked from their own accounts within minutes.

The scammers then send messages to all contacts in their victim’s directory, requesting financial assistance, explaining the banking app on their phone has been blocked. They then forward alternate banking details and the contacts deposit cash.

Scammers employ various tactics to obtain activation codes, and the public is cautioned to be on high alert for any such instance.

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