Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
1 comment 
A New Wave of WhatsApp Invasions Is Alarming Users. The Police Advise Immediate Measures to Protect Your Account and Avoid Losses.
Online scams are not new, but the focus on WhatsApp users continues to grow alarmingly. Once again, law enforcement agencies are issuing warnings about account invasions, particularly targeting specific groups.
Although this is a recurring theme, hackers’ tactics remain effective, exploiting simple security flaws that can be easily fixed. This is the time to act and protect your account before it’s too late.
Recently, the police in Derbyshire, UK, highlighted an increase in the number of hacked accounts.
-
With a cost per shot close to zero, the DragonFire laser could change naval warfare in 2027 and provide British ships with nearly unlimited defense against drones.
-
A British startup creates tires that generate electricity in electric vehicles when passing over potholes, speed bumps, and cracks.
-
Scientists have created robots made with living cells that have their own nervous system, swim on their own, explore the environment, and self-organize without any genetic engineering, and now they want to do the same with human cells.
-
Students create a solar-powered ambulance that operates without a plug, without fuel, and still keeps medical equipment running in remote areas.
According to reports, scammers are primarily targeting groups on WhatsApp, such as students, healthcare professionals, members of religious communities, and even businesses. The goal? To take control of an account and, from there, access contacts and groups to amplify attacks.
The scenario, although described in British territory, is not limited to that region—the risk is global, considering that WhatsApp is present on over 3 billion devices worldwide.
The success of WhatsApp in Brazil is enormous, with approximately 147 million users in the country. These figures position Brazil as the second-largest market for WhatsApp in the world, only behind India.
How Does the Attack Work on WhatsApp?
The method is ingeniously simple. When installing WhatsApp on a new device, the platform requests validation of the phone number via a code sent by SMS.
However, there is no verification if the number used corresponds to the device in question. This means that anyone with access to the code can take over the account on another device.
This type of vulnerability opens the door for social engineering attacks. Hackers impersonate acquaintances or trusted group members, tricking users into sharing verification codes.
Once they have the compromised account, they can send fraudulent messages requesting money or access to sensitive information.
The latest alert, issued by BBC News, mentioned cases where stolen amounts were converted into foreign currency, such as Nigerian naira.
Additionally, religious groups were highlighted as frequent targets due to the large number of participants who often do not know each other personally. Scammers exploit this gap to pose as legitimate members of the group.
Simple Measures to Protect Your Account
Protecting your WhatsApp account is easier than it seems. By following a few simple steps, you can avoid headaches:
- Enable Two-Step Verification: Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification and activate the feature. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a custom PIN in addition to the standard verification code.
- Use a Password Linked to Biometric Data: For devices that allow it, set up fingerprint or facial recognition protection on WhatsApp. This ensures that only you can access the account on your device.
- Add an Email to Your Account: Linking a trusted email address is crucial for recovering your account in case of problems. Make sure the email provided is easily accessible.
Increasingly Sophisticated Scams
The police warned that hackers are rapidly adapting. In some cases, they place the logos of well-known organizations as their profile picture, increasing the victims’ trust.
After accessing the account, they send messages on behalf of the person to friends and family, asking for financial help or other information.
“We have received reports of people being deceived by messages from compromised accounts. They believed they were conversing with someone they knew and trusted,” explained a spokesperson for Derbyshire police. This tactic is dangerous, especially in groups with many participants.
Be Cautious of the Verification Code
Never, under any circumstances, share the unique code sent to your phone via SMS or WhatsApp. Hackers use a variety of tricks to deceive victims, such as requests for help or promises of benefits.
If you have activated the mentioned security settings, even if you fall victim to a social engineering scam, your account will remain protected.
With increasingly sophisticated and frequent attacks, protection starts with small security adjustments. Don’t wait to become a victim to act. Update your settings today and share this information with your contacts. A protected account is the best defense against future scams.
My WhatsApp account it is no longer working due to spam