WhatsApp scams used to be for the most part innocent, the digital equivalent to the chain letter. But today WhatsApp scams are increasingly nasty, whether they want to scrounge your personal data or install malware on your device. Check our guide to common WhatsApp scams and you'll know which ones to delete.
Martinelli video
A twist on the common WhatsApp Gold scam, this message claims:"This is from our IT guy: If you know anyone using WhatsApp you might pass on this. An IT colleague has advised that a video comes out tomorrow from WhatsApp called martinelli do not open it, it hacks your phone and nothing will fix it. Spread the word.
"If you receive a message to update the WhatsApp to WhatsApp Gold, do not click!!!!
"Please inform all contacts from your list not to open a video called the "Dance of the Pope". It is a virus that formats your mobile. Beware it is very dangerous. They announced it today on BBC radio. Fwd this msg to as many as you can!"
There are two parts to this message: first, the idea that a "martinelli" or "Dance of the Pope" video is going to format your phone; and second, it refers to the WhatsApp Gold scam.
There is no evidence that such a video exists, nor that it will format your phone. This is your typical pass-it-on scam.
However, the second part about WhatsApp Gold is a nod to a genuine scam that has for the past few years attempted to fool users into thinking WhatsApp is going to become chargeable once again, and that by signing up they can avoid the charge. Any links in these messages are going to be dodgy, designed only to capture your personal (and likely banking) details.
We have more details on the martinelli video scam here.
Verification code links
A warning has been issued in the United Arab Emirates - and it's good advice for us all - against WhatsApp verification code messages that contain links.When you first install WhatsApp you are sent a message with a code that you must enter into the app to verify your phone number. You are not required to click on a link to verify your number. Neither are you required to verify your phone number following the initial installation of the app.
However, scammers are reportedly catching out the unaware by fooling them into clicking these links, then hacking their WhatsApp accounts and taking over control.
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Olivia
Back in September 2018 Police warned over a new WhatsApp hoax they are calling 'Olivia', the name the scammer tends to go under, in which kids are targeted with a series of messages from someone pretending to be a friend of a friend or a friend with a new number. If they respond they are then hit with links to pornographic sites and content. We have full details here: make sure your kids know to steer well clear.
Free Adidas trainers
A particularly clever phishing scam is doing the rounds on WhatsApp in the US, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, India, Pakistan and elsewhere, claiming that Adidas is offering 2,500 free pairs of trainers in celebration of its 69th anniversary. The message includes a link, which looks genuine - but on closer inspection there is not dot above the i in Adidas.This is known as a homoglyph attack, explains Eset, and on clicking the link you are redirected to a survey with four questions. At the end of this they are instructed to share the link in order to claim their prize, but of course there is no prize.
Instead you get an offer to claim your trainers for $1, which actually signs you up to a dodgy subscription service that will charge you $49.99 a month.
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