We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Privacy Notice
Accept
BASIC thinking InternationalBASIC thinking International
  • SOCIAL MEDIA
  • MARKETING
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • BUSINESS
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • GREEN
Reading: WhatsApp scam: This is how quickly you can lose your account
Share
BASIC thinking InternationalBASIC thinking International
Search
  • SOCIAL MEDIA
  • MARKETING
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • BUSINESS
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • GREEN
Follow US
© 2003 - 2023 BASIC thinking GmbH
Technology

WhatsApp scam: This is how quickly you can lose your account

Maria Gramsch
Last updated: June 3, 2022
Maria Gramsch Published June 3, 2022
pixabay.com / Alfredo Rivera
SHARE

Cybercriminals are once again targeting messenger services. Users can quickly lose access to their accounts via a new WhatsApp scam. We explain the background.

Now it’s WhatsApp’s turn again. As Computer Bild reports, a new scam is spreading in the messenger service. Users can lose access to their accounts within a very short time.

How does the new WhatsApp scam work?

Those affected first receive a message via the messenger service. In this message, they are asked to call a specific message. If they actually dial the number, their WhatsApp account is terminated.

As Computer Bild writes, each of these phone numbers is preceded by a GSM code. These codes can be used to quickly change the connection settings of a cell phone provider.

The phone numbers sent via WhatsApp therefore each contain the code for activating call forwarding. This means that all future calls go directly to the scammers.

What does this have to do with the WhatsApp account?

The cybercriminals can also use the described scam to store a new phone number in the respective WhatsApp account. This is because the control call from WhatsApp when setting up a new phone also ends up with the fraudsters.

This way, the legitimization is very simple and the victims can get rid of their account in no time at all. The scammers, on the other hand, now have access to their victims’ chats. As is often the case, the criminals demand money from the contacts.

But they are also targeting the further distribution of the fraudulent phone numbers. The goal is to obtain even more WhatsApp accounts.

How widespread is the WhatsApp scam in our country?

The new WhatsApp scam was discovered by Indian security expert Rahul Sasi. On his Twitter account, he wrote that the new scam is currently occurring primarily in India.

According to Sasi, the GSM codes **67* and 405 are primarily used in India. In Germany, the GSM code **21* would be used for the call detour described.

Maria Gramsch June 3, 2022
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Email
By Maria Gramsch
Follow:
Maria is a freelance journalist and technical assistant at the University of Leipzig. She has been working as a freelance writer for BASIC thinking since 2021. Maria lives and paddles in Leipzig, Germany, and works here for the Leipzig production company schmidtFilm, among others. She has a bachelor's degree in business administration from DHBW Karlsruhe and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Leipzig.
Previous Article Twitter shareholders sue Elon Musk for stock manipulation
Next Article Elon Musk again threatens to withdraw from Twitter deal

Stay Connected

5.1k Like
180 Follow
1.9k Follow
260k Subscribe

Latest News

instagram algorithm
How does the Instagram feed algorithm work?
June 6, 2023
avatar-microsoft-teams
Microsoft Teams: How to create an avatar
June 5, 2023
how does chatgpt work?
Artificial intelligence: How does ChatGPT actually work?
June 2, 2023
charge smartphone correctly tips
Charge your smartphone battery correctly: How to make your battery last longer
May 30, 2023
whatsapp-nachrichten-bearbeiten
Correction function: How to edit your WhatsApp messages
May 26, 2023
instagram-whatsapp-facebook-daten-usa
Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook may not transfer data to the USA
May 25, 2023

You Might also Like

avatar-microsoft-teams
Technology

Microsoft Teams: How to create an avatar

Maria Gramsch Maria Gramsch June 5, 2023
how does chatgpt work?
Technology

Artificial intelligence: How does ChatGPT actually work?

Maria Gramsch Maria Gramsch June 2, 2023
charge smartphone correctly tips
Technology

Charge your smartphone battery correctly: How to make your battery last longer

Beatrice Bode Beatrice Bode May 30, 2023
Show More

About us

BASIC thinking is a modern media company that reaches over 25 million page impressions worldwide.

Categories

Ad Business Entertainment Green Marketing Social Media Technology

Quick Links

  • About us
  • Advertising
  • BASIC thinking Germany
  • Imprint
  • Privacy Policy
BASIC thinking InternationalBASIC thinking International
Follow US

© 2003 - 2023 BASIC thinking GmbH

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?