A new scam has emerged using WhatsApp as bait, promising pay at least five euros for each 'like' on social networks, but this attractive job offer never materializes. What's more, cybercriminals ask for money before supposedly paying for work done, obtain personal information to commit crimes, or install malicious software on the victim's device.
Phrases like “This is a unique opportunity” or “It will allow you to generate income from the comfort of your home” They are used as a hook to persuade people to participate in jobs that appear to be a bargain.
This is how the WhatsApp 'likes' scam works
Scammers are using WhatsApp to contact random people, posing as employment recruiters from platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or TikTok. Initially, they offer victims fake jobs with promises of daily earnings ranging from 50 to 600 euros. However, the real purpose is to obtain both personal and banking information from the victims.
Fraudulent messages sent via WhatsApp usually come from foreign numbers, mainly from countries such as Libya, Togo, Guatemala or Bangladeshalthough cases have also been detected with prepaid numbers registered in Spain.
The modus operandi begins with a message that invites the victim to perform a simple task, such as liking a post or following a profile, and then send a screenshot as proof. In exchange, some scammers offer a generous reward to build trust in the victim.
Posteriorly, The conversation moves to the Telegram application, where the scammer continues the deception. A supposed “work code” is explained to the victim that she must send to an “accountant” on Telegram to receive daily earnings. The accountant promises great benefits and offers a position as an “official employee” once a more complex task is completed, such as watching videos or generating data for salespeople.
Finally, The victim is invited to join a task group on Telegram, where they are asked to send money through Bizum to receive alleged commissions. However, once the victim makes the transfer, the scammers disappear, leaving the victim with no money and feeling like they have been deceived.
For several months, the 'elDiario.es' investigation team has been dedicated to unraveling the network of a scam related to false job offers, popularly known as the 'likes' hoax on WhatsApp. In collaboration with the National Police, it has been revealed that some people have suffered losses of up to 18,000 euros in a period of just 48 hours.
Beware of 'the 6-digit scam'!
On the other hand, the Civil Guard has issued a warning through its profile on the social network scam that is spreading on WhatsApp. In this scam, criminals request through the Meta platform the verification code that allows access to the victims' accounts, carrying out what is known as the 'six-digit scam'.
The modus operandi of the scam begins when the user receives a message from someone posing as the WhatsApp support team. However, in reality, it is a scammer asking for the six-digit number previously sent by SMS. This individual warns the user, stating that his account has been compromised and that providing the verification code is the only way to protect it and prevent its deletion.
If the person falls into the trap and provides the requested six digits, cybercriminals can gain access to their WhatsApp account, allowing them to impersonate them and access their personal data. It's crucial never share the verification code with anyone.
Safety is key
Enabling two-step verification on WhatsApp is a very important measure to reinforce the security of your account in this popular messaging application. This feature adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a six-digit PIN code in addition to phone number verification.
For activate two-step verificationfollow these simple steps:
- Open the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Go to the Settings or Configuration section.
- Select the “Account” option.
- Click “Two-Step Verification.”
- Choose the “Activate” option.
Once you've turned on two-step verification, you'll have the option to provide your email. This email will be used to send you a recovery link in case you forget your PIN code. Remember that two-step verification is a additional security measure which can help you protect your account from possible unauthorized access attempts.