In today's digital age, many people are using the internet, particularly social media, to share their views and enjoy interactions with others.
One popular app is WhatsApp, which allows people to chat, share status updates, and much more.
However, there's an important warning from the Kolkata Police cyber cell for WhatsApp users.
The police issued this advisory in response to complaints from a student and a businessman in the city.
According to a report by Times of India, cybercriminals are impersonating others on Facebook, WhatsApp and reaching out to users with messages inviting them to join yoga classes.
They include a link to join these classes. Here is where the scam comes in - when users click on the link, they are asked to enter their phone number and a six-digit OTP (one-time password).
Once the user submits this OTP on the link, the scammers use it to log into the user's WhatsApp account on another phone.
It is essential to note that this OTP is not a regular one; It is actually the WhatsApp verification code.
With access to the victim's WhatsApp account, the fraudsters then take advantage of the situation.
They may send messages to the user's relatives or friends, pretending to be in an urgent situation, and ask for money.
In response to these incidents, Kolkata Police has warned netizens about these kinds of hacks through their Facebook page.
Fraudsters are exploiting this practice to gain control of WhatsApp accounts, leading to unfortunate consequences for the victims.
So, it is crucial to stay vigilant and avoid falling for such tricks.
If you encounter any suspicious messages or requests, it is best not to engage with them and report them to the authorities to help protect yourself and others from such scams.