For all its popularity, WhatsApp has become the latest tool for scammers and cyber criminals. The seriousness of the matter can be understood from the fact that the Union government, last year, urged Meta Platforms – WhatsApp’s parent company – to address the scams.
The scammers get the users to share an OTP with them, following which they gain access to their WhatsApp account. The scammers then swindle those in the users’ contact lists, while posing as the original user.
Recently, former India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, too, was targeted by online scammers. He took to X to share his experience.
Got WhatsApp msg from an acquaintance asking for 25K. Knew his no was hacked. So replied, how do you want me to pay, Gpay ok?
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 11, 2025
Promptly a no was sent asking me to send a screen shot after payment. I replied, can I please pay you 2.5 lacs? No more messages after that. 😁
While Manjrekar was quick to identify that his acquaintance’s WhatsApp was compromised, many have fallen prey to such online financial fraud.
From manipulating network service providers to enable call and message forwarding to alternate numbers, to voice cloning using AI tools, the online scammers have upped the game using technology.
According to Statista, in the last financial year, losses from cyber fraud in India exceeded Rs 170 crore. The surge in cyber crimes is such that between January and April 2024 alone, more than 7,40,000 cases were reported.
