A concerning new text scam has emerged in parts of Europe, targeting WhatsApp users by posing as a request from a friend to vote in a contest. This scam, identified by Bitdefender, relies on emotional manipulation to trick users into clicking on fraudulent links and divulging personal security codes.
The scam begins with a seemingly innocent message urging recipients to vote for a friend’s daughter in a contest for a scholarship abroad. However, clicking on the provided link leads users to a fake website where they are prompted to vote and then asked to input their phone number and a verification code, ultimately granting cybercriminals access to their WhatsApp accounts.
Once scammers obtain the necessary information, they can take control of the victim’s account, potentially locking them out and using the compromised account to send fake messages to contacts, leading to further scams and potential financial losses.
Bitdefender’s research indicates an escalating threat, with attackers utilizing numerous fraudulent domains and URLs to target thousands of users, particularly in countries like Poland, Romania, and Germany. To safeguard against such scams, Bitdefender advises users to refrain from sharing verification codes, verify requests for money or favors via direct phone calls, report suspicious messages within WhatsApp, and take immediate action if their account is compromised, including contacting WhatsApp support and notifying their contacts of the breach.