WhatsApp users beware: the police are now issuing alerts about a new deceptive scheme
A new and potentially dangerous scam exploiting WhatsApp’s screen sharing function has been making waves in Singapore, with fraudsters posing as officials from various organisations to deceive unsuspecting victims.
The scam begins with a seemingly innocuous call from a local number, claiming to represent entities such as NTUC Income, NTUC Union, or UnionPay, and alleging issues with non-existent insurance policies that the victims are said to have purchased.
When victims deny having such policies, they are transferred to another scammer posing as an officer from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This imposter falsely accuses the victim’s bank account of being involved in money laundering.
The victims are then coerced into transferring money to a "safe" account, supposedly to protect their funds from illegal activities. They are then instructed to use WhatsApp’s screen sharing function, which allows the scammer to view the victim’s banking app and internet banking details in real time. This gives the scammer full access to sensitive information, enabling them to perform unauthorized transactions directly from the victim’s account.
Victims may realise they have been scammed either when the fraudsters become unreachable or when they demand further transfers.
This scam is especially hazardous because the screen sharing feature gives scammers immediate visual access to banking credentials, one-time passwords (OTPs), and transaction processes, bypassing many traditional security measures. Furthermore, by posing as trusted authorities and using official-sounding narratives, scammers increase the likelihood of victims complying with their demands.
Victims may not realise their accounts have been compromised until significant funds are lost, and the use of widely available messaging platforms like WhatsApp makes this scam easy to replicate and difficult for authorities to block.
The Singaporean police have issued a warning about the new WhatsApp scam, emphasising that individuals should never share their device’s screen with unverified parties, as it can lead to unauthorized transactions and significant financial loss. Public awareness and education are critical to combating such schemes.
The police are now involved in the proceedings regarding the new WhatsApp scam, and more and more cases of the scam are appearing nationwide. Users are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
For further information about the new WhatsApp scam, visit NextG.tv. The authorities are taking steps to address the scam, and users are reminded to remain vigilant and cautious when using WhatsApp and other messaging platforms. Those who think they are safe could be affected by the new WhatsApp scam sooner than expected, as the scam is specifically designed to target the everyday behavior of many people.
- Despite utilizing traditional security measures, victims of this new WhatsApp scam are at risk due to the scammers' ability to bypass these protections by exploiting the screen sharing function in technology, specifically the one provided by WhatsApp.
- In light of the growing cybersecurity concern, the Singaporean authorities are urging the public to stay informed about the latest scams, such as the WhatsApp scam, and to be cautious when sharing sensitive information through any technology platform, including WhatsApp.
