A new cyber WhatsApp scam that has recently appeared in circulation and operates through WhatsApp uses fake wedding invitations to infiltrate. Internet criminals then email fake wedding cards to the recipients with auspicious messages for weddings or celebrations, sometimes followed by links or attachments.
These links may look innocent, but they redirect you to fake websites whose only purpose is to strip users of their identity and bank details or download malware to the victim’s computer.
This Whatsapp scam usually acts through social engineering, to begin with. It could claim to be somebody close, like a friend or a relation, or even a reputable firm. But when someone clicks on it, they are required to type their personal details or download something that can harm their phone.
This scam is more worrying as the use of the application continues to grow, given that it can easily spread. As a result of these actions, people are more likely to believe that messages, particularly from known contacts.
Users also need to be careful when they receive emails from unknown people or strangers with attachments to wedding invitations. Down below are some of the significant types of scams individuals should guard against to ensure their data is protected from hackers.
Fake Wedding Whatsapp Scam
The latest WhatsApp scam involves fake wedding invitations and fools people into revealing intimate information. These are fake messages that look like wedding invitations. And they contain beautiful information and links to click on.
These look like links leading to true wedding-related articles, but in fact, all of them are created specifically to lure you into giving your details or the URL of your phone to them so they can infect it with malicious code. Much of the time, scammers lure victims into scams, forging the identity of a friend, family member, or trustworthy organization.
When a recipient clicks the given link, he or she is either required to share his or her identity, including the banking details, or he/she is taken to a fake website created to capture the login credentials. At times, hackers deliberately download malfunctions to the phone, leading to a breach of its security, for instance, to access personal information.
Therefore, never fall prey to this fake wedding invitation, especially when it is received unsolicited. It often has a link or attachment. Never respond to any messages or open links from unknown people, and be sure to check the sender’s actual identity.
If you notice that you are a victim of the mentioned phishing scam, then you need to change your passwords and inform the authorities.
Cybercriminal Tactics
1. Phishing
Fake accounts whose purpose is to deceive those on the targeted platform into releasing their identity numbers, for example, or clicking on certain links.
2. Social Engineering
The act of tricking people, especially employees, into releasing important information through an imitation of a reliable person or company.
3. Malware Distribution
The act of introducing malicious software to infect certain devices through links, attachments, or applications to steal information or to gain control of the affected device, respectively.
4. Impersonation
Acting as a friend, a family member, or a company with the main aim of getting to know the victim’s details.
5. Ransomware
A criminal attack is where a hacker obtains unauthorized access to a victim’s computer and encrypted documents and then extorts the victim to pay for the unlock of their files.
6. Fake Websites
Building fake websites that seem very real so users surrender password data, credit card numbers, and other important information.
7. SIM Card Swapping
Manipulating telecom companies to assume control of a victim’s phone number to use it in fraudulent activities.
8. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Eavesdropping the messages exchanged between two people to gain access to privileged information, such as account details or passwords.
9. Credential Stuffing
Utilizing the style of one breach to access others with usernames and passwords collected during the process.
10. Scareware
Nowadays, individuals who receive these fake security alerts download corrupt programs, thinking that this will help to fix their computers or purchase some of the services that are not available at all.
Raising Awareness
It is very important to increase cybersecurity awareness, particularly on issues like WhatsApp scams. The best approach is to let people know about common tricks, such as phishing, links, and social engineering, to eliminate the probable threats.
That is why it is possible to empower the users and suggest they share information through social media, conduct workshops, and use public campaigns.
A major factor in avoiding these attacks is the use of strong, effective passwords and two-factor authentication. Additionally, it’s crucial to avoid clicking on any links that appear suspicious. When we all share this information, it becomes much harder for cybercriminals to function, and their actions are minimized.