It can happen again and again that people become victims of WhatsApp scam become. In a current case, a federal agency even warned against the actions of criminal organizations.
WhatsApp fraud: Hardly anyone sees this coming
The new scam is an attempt by criminals to commit WhatsApp fraud using false financial advice. As the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin for short) currently warns, the procedure works quite simply: “Self-proclaimed financial professionals” try to lure you into a group chat in various ways. There they build a relationship of trust with the members of the group and proceed in a coordinated manner.
They then claim to be able to provide helpful investment recommendations, whereupon account details are provided. What makes the procedure particularly perfidious is the following step: First, even small amounts are paid out to the victims in order to deceive them into thinking that they could actually make a profit. Now they should invest for further profits and actually take money into their hands. However, as soon as you have transferred the money, it is over.
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This is how you can protect yourself
The WhatsApp fraud is ultimately completed when the criminals simply break off contact after the transfer has been made and never let themselves be seen again. With one exception: in rare cases they even return after a few years, as BaFin explains. The perpetrators apologize and say that the system did not work. In return for a further investment, they then promise to get the amount back “for real this time”.
But this is just a repeat of the same crime. The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority therefore warns consumers in clear terms that they should avoid making investments via a messenger and should always check such offers as carefully as possible first. If in doubt, do not respond to the offers, leave the group in question and report it to Messenger. In this way, WhatsApp fraud can at least be contained. However, if you have the feeling that you have fallen victim to this scam, you should contact the police.
Sources: BaFin
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