Fresh WhatsApp scam: Users losing control of their accounts, private chats, images - Here's how

WhatsApp scam: It seems some scammers have found a way to hack into WhatsApp account of users. According to a report by Gulf News, the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has warned WhatsApp users that they should not reply to any code verification messages unless they are triggered by themselves. The advisory was issued on Twitter. It says that several WhatsApp accounts have been hacked through this method in the UAE and users have lost all their details. 

The report quoted TRA as saying that the users should not share the verification code sent to them by SMS. If they do, their accounts could be "compromised."

According to the report, the scammers are not just targetting users in English but they have also sent out the fake messages in French. 

How scammers compromise WhatsApp accounts

When you install WhatsApp on a smartphone, the chatting app sends a verification code to verify whether you are the owner of the mobile number. In the latest scam exposed in the UAE, the scammers are sending a WhatsApp code and a link instead of a six-digit verification code. 

The scammers send a WhatsApp code to users to which the latter have to reply and add their mobile number. They also send a link to users to verify their number. 

When you click on the link sent by the customers, it confirms that you own the mobile number and in the process, you lose the control of your WhatsApp account. Scammers can now read your private chats, messages and see images and videos shared by you. 

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The TRA statement published by Gulf News said, "Mobile users should not share the verification code that is sent to them by SMS, otherwise, their account will be compromised. Many WhatsApp accounts were hacked this way, and subscribers lost all their details."