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Tom Muleya Fraud Insight
Cases involving people being duped through WhatsApp platforms are becoming worrisome.
The victims are losing large sums of money through WhatsApp advance fee fraud.
Today as we continue with the National Cyber Security Awareness Campaign that is running the whole month of October under the Theme:” Think Before You Click”, we take a look at WhatsApp cyber-related frauds.
WhatsApp frauds are cyber-related crimes that are committed on, through or by use of WhatsApp social media platform.
Why concern ourselves with this type of fraud?
It is because many Zimbabweans are WhatsApp users, hence, the reason fraudsters have also taken their vicious attacks on this social media.
Many victims are attacked when they engage in illegal foreign exchange deals that have now become so common on WhatsApp platforms.
These WhatsApp-related frauds are packaged in the form of messages offering good foreign currency exchange rates of the US dollar Other victims are lured through fraudulent international competitions.
In many instances, WhatsApp fraud starts with cellphone hacking and then the scammers get into victims account to manipulate their contacts for monetary gain.
The frequency with which these fraudulent WhatsApp messages are being sent is worrisome and people must exercise extreme caution to avoid falling victim.
To avoid falling victim to WhatsApp cyber-related frauds, consider some of the following prevention tips;
- Be wary of invites or messages offering too good to be true exchanges rates for US.
- Avoid keeping fraudulent advance fee message in your cellphone lest you click on it by mistake.
- Do cyber due diligence. Ask someone or enquire from the nearest police to verify the authenticity of the information.
- Do not respond to a text message or e-mails sent to you by unknown peopleas doing so increase your chances of being defrauded.
- Use your common sense. Why should you get excited on winning prize money on a competition you never entered?
- Never advance any money. Scammers or 419 fraudsters make their money through advances made to them, once they get your advance fee, you will not hear from them anymore.
- Do not rush. The use of threats to lose your prize money on failure to meet the deadline is just meant to put pressure and give you little room to think.
- Never base your decisions on appearance. The fact that the offer involves huge prize money should not influence your actions. The amount is just a bait to make you over-excited and then part with your money.
- Report to the police before many people fall prey to the scammers.
- Think before you click. One of the best God given resources available to all mankind is the ability to think. Remember fraudsters take their time to come up with the best fraudulent schemes that cannot be easily detected. So you need to think too before making an advance payment.
- Take responsibility. Ensure to take measures that will protect you against advance fee fraudsters.
Get empowered by Fraud Insight and be a partner in the National Cyber Security Awareness Campaign. Watch out for the next issue.
For your feedback, WhatsApp line: 0772 764 043, or e-mail: [email protected]. Tom Muleya is a Detective Assistant Inspector working under CID Commercial Crime Division (CCD). He is also a member of the National Cyber Security Awareness Taskforce of Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter