Thiruvananthapuram: Cyber Police have sounded an alarm over a surge in WhatsApp hacking cases, where fraudsters hijack user accounts to steal personal data and trick friends and family into sending money. Scammers typically call victims, win their trust, and send fake app installation files, ultimately capturing the victim’s OTP to log in to their account. Once locked out, users find their identity misused as hackers send phony money requests and malicious links to contacts.
Authorities urge users to enable two-step verification, never share OTPs, avoid suspicious links or files, and ignore shady messages. Anyone facing such online fraud should immediately dial 1930 or lodge a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
