Scams are becoming increasingly common on WhatsApp as the platform’s popularity grows. Many scammers use fake social media profiles and photos to trick people into sending them money or personal information.
You can protect yourself from these scammers if you are aware of the most common WhatsApp scams and how to identify them.
While no one can guarantee that you will never be a victim of a WhatsApp scam, being aware of the risks and understanding how to spot a scammer can help you avoid becoming one.
This article will discuss seven of the most common WhatsApp scams, as well as how to identify scammer photos on social media.
We will also provide information on how to avoid becoming a victim of one of these scams. Keep your online safety in mind!
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7 WhatsApp Dating Scams
1: The Fake Profile
One of the most common types of scams is the fake profile scam. This is when someone creates a bogus profile, usually with stolen photos and false information, in order to dupe people into sending them money or personal information.
Fake profiles are frequently used to entice people to send money for “travel expenses” or to purchase gifts, but they can also be used to collect personal information such as addresses and phone numbers.
If you want to use WhatsApp for dating, do your research and only chat with people who seem genuine.
Sending money or personal information to someone you’ve only met online, no matter how much you think you can trust them, is never a good idea.
2: The Nigerian Prince Scam
One of the most common WhatsApp dating scams is the Nigerian prince scams. This type of scam usually involves promising the victim a large sum of money, often in the form of inheritance, in exchange for personal information or money to help with taxes or fees.
Scammers frequently use bogus profiles and stolen photos to make their victims feel more at ease and less suspicious.
Victims have even been asked in some cases to send money to help the “prince” pay for travel expenses so that they can meet in person.
Unfortunately, the victim will never hear from the “prince” again after sending money. As a result, if you are approached by someone claiming to be a Nigerian prince, do not respond and instead report the profile to WhatsApp.
3: The Blackmail Scam
Scammers who use blackmail as a form of extortion are another type of scam to avoid. When a victim falls for this scam, the con artist contacts them and claims to have compromising photos or videos.
Following that, the victim is blackmailed into sending money to the scammer in order to prevent the scammer from making the images or videos public.
Because the victim may be embarrassed about the photos or videos used in the scam, blackmail scams can be difficult to detect. However, the presence of certain red flags can help you identify a blackmail scam.
For example, if someone you don’t know contacts you out of the blue and requests compromising photos or videos, you should be cautious.
4: The Friend Request from a Stranger Scam
The “friend request from a stranger scam” involves creating fictitious profiles on social media sites in order to gain the trust of unsuspecting users.
Once the fraudster has established a rapport with the victim, he or she will begin to ask for personal information or money.
If the victim does not agree to the scammer’s demands, the scammer may threaten to release compromising photos or videos of the victim.
Proceed with caution if you receive a friend request from someone you have never met before. Putting yourself at risk of becoming a victim of an online scam could have a negative impact on your health.
5: The Lure to Click on the Link Scam
Yet another type of WhatsApp scam is the lure to click on the link scam. This is where the scammer contacts you and tries to get you to click on a link.
The link may take you to a website that looks legitimate but is a phishing website designed to steal your personal information. Or, the link may download malware onto your device.
If you receive a suspicious message, do not click on any links. You can also report the scammer to WhatsApp so they can be blocked from contacting other users.
By being aware of this scam, you can help protect yourself and others from becoming victims.
6: Spoofed Phone Numbers and Callers ID’s
Spoof phone numbers and caller IDs are used in yet another WhatsApp scam to communicate with the victim via the messaging app.
Scammers typically contact potential victims by calling them on a fictitious phone number and impersonating someone other than themselves.
A fake caller ID can also appear to be from a legitimate number, which is considered identity theft.
Because of this deception, the victim may believe they are speaking with a friend or family member when they are actually speaking with a scammer. As a consequence, you should proceed with caution when answering a phone call or text message from an unknown number.
7: The WhatsApp Text Bomb
The WhatsApp text bomb scam involves sending the recipient a text message containing a special character that causes the recipient’s phone to crash.
Following a reboot of the victim’s phone, the hacker will have access to the victim’s WhatsApp account and contacts. This allows them to communicate with the victim by sending messages and making phone calls on his or her behalf.
The hacker can even remotely activate the victim’s microphone and camera from a distance, according to one variant of the scam.
Despite the fact that this type of scam is still relatively new, it has already claimed the livelihood of several victims. Furthermore, as more people become aware of the threat, hackers will almost certainly continue to adapt and evolve their tactics.
Most Common Google Hangouts Scams
Direct Deposit Account
This scam involves someone creating a fake dating profile on a popular dating site and then using Google Hangouts to contact their potential victim.
They will strike up a conversation with their victim and establish a rapport before asking them to send money to their bank account.
They will frequently claim that they require the funds for an emergency or for something important. However, once the money is sent, the scammer vanishes, leaving the victim heartbroken and out of pocket.
If you use Google Hangouts to chat with someone you met online, exercise extreme caution. If they begin requesting money from you, they are most likely attempting to defraud you.
Direct Deposit Account
Another type of scam involves convincing the victim to open a bank account into which money will be deposited by the scammer. The victim is then asked to transfer the funds to another account, usually in another country.
This scam is difficult to detect because the scammer frequently uses fake photos and a false name. There are, however, some red flags to be aware of.
For example, the scammer may unexpectedly request personal financial information or begin requesting money before meeting in person.
Be on the lookout for these if you use Google Hangouts for online dating.
Investments with Great Returns
Another type of reported scam is an investment scam, in which someone promises high returns on investment in exchange for your money.
The best way to avoid this scam is to recognize the warning signs. Be wary if someone you don’t know contacts you and asks you to invest in something.
Also, be suspicious of anyone who puts you under pressure to make a decision quickly or who appears overly eager for you to hand over your money. If something seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.
How to Identify Whatsapp Scammer Pictures
Blurry or Low-Quality
We’ve all seen them: the blurry, low-resolution photographs. Scammers frequently use these images on WhatsApp to trick people into sending money or personal information to them.
However, there are a few ways to identify a scammer by looking at their photos. Scammer images in WhatsApp chats are frequently of lower quality than other images.
They are typically sourced from websites or other online accounts. So, if you notice that someone’s profile picture is blurry or pixelated, proceed with caution.
Too Good to be True Photo
One of the most common Whatsapp scams occurs when someone sends you a photo that appears to be too good to be true.
Most scammers will send you a picture of something valuable, such as a new car or a high-end watch, and then try to persuade you to click on a link to learn more about it.
The link, on the other hand, will take you to a bogus website where you will be asked to enter your personal information. As a result, if you receive a photo like this from someone on Whatsapp, you must proceed with extreme caution.
Nationality Doesn’t match their Grammar
Fake messages purporting to be from a government or bank official are another common Whatsapp scam. These messages typically contain spelling and grammar errors, indicating that they are not from a legitimate source.
Looking at the sender’s profile picture can also help you identify these scam messages. If the person in the picture’s nationality does not match the grammar of the message, they are most likely not who they claim to be.
You can protect yourself and your information from being taken advantage of if you are aware of these scams.
Some Open Questions
Why does Whatsapp have such a high fraud rate?
There are a number of reasons for Whatsapp’s high fraud rate. For one thing, the platform is widely used, making it an easy target for scammers.
Furthermore, Whatsapp allows users to send money to one another, which allows scammers to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Finally, because Whatsapp is mostly unregulated, there is no authority to report fraudulent activity. As a direct consequence, con artists can operate with impunity, and victims have few options. As a result, taking precautions to protect yourself from Whatsapp fraud is critical.
What can I do to protect myself from WhatsApp scams?
So, how can you protect yourself from these scam artists? To start, be wary of any links you receive via WhatsApp, even if they are from someone you know. If you are unsure whether a link is safe, open it in a web browser rather than clicking on it directly.
Second, be cautious of any offers that appear too good to be true. If you are offered a free iPhone or the opportunity to win a large sum of money, it is most likely a scam.
It’s almost certainly a scam if you receive a message from someone you don’t know asking for your bank account number or Social Security number.
I think I may have been scammed on WhatsApp. What should I do?
The first thing you should do if you believe you have been scammed on WhatsApp is to report it to the app. They have a team dedicated to investigating such reports and taking action to protect users from scams.
Take screenshots of any conversations or messages you suspect are part of the scam. These can aid in the investigation of the incident.
If you have any additional evidence, such as photos or videos, you should send them to WhatsApp as well. After reporting the scam, you should change your WhatsApp password and enable two-factor authentication to better protect your account in the future.
Takeaway
Knowing the most common WhatsApp scams allows you to take precautions to avoid becoming a victim by protecting your personal information.
Always be cautious when clicking on links or accepting offers from strangers, and never provide personal information to someone you don’t know or trust.
If you believe you have been scammed, report it to WhatsApp immediately and take steps to secure your account as soon as possible.
Simple preventive measures, such as following these guidelines, can assist you in protecting yourself from WhatsApp fraud and identity theft.
Could You Be A Victim Of A WhatsApp Scam?!
It is important that you perform a quick background check on who you are actually speaking to on the internet (you can do that here). The common questions that spring to mind are:
- Are they using fake identities?
- Am I really speaking to a real person from the USA?
To help the users of this site we have partnered with BeenVerified so you can check exactly that. This checking service reveals everything about this would be romance scammer and if they are a real person!
Helpful Information Available on BeenVerified:
- Arrest Records (Please check this!)
- Photos (Helps check if the same photos are used for multiple profiles with different names)
- Email Addresses
- Phone Numbers
- Social Profiles (IMPORTANT – Do they have a real social profile or multiple)
- Home Addresses
- Relatives & Associates
- Sex Offenders Register (Be safe who you are meeting!)
- And More…
If you have the slightest doubt about who you are speaking to… Please use this service!