WhatsApp scam busted as firm detects hackers

Fifteen WhatsApp accounts based in Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait and the US that were used by fraudsters to hijack WhatsApp and IMO accounts in the kingdom were detected by a cyber-security firm. Scammers had completely taken control over several WhatsApp accounts in Bahrain by bamboozling unsuspecting victims using fraudulent messages about winning prizes. 

The fraudsters claim to be representatives of telecom companies or hypermarkets, used their brand identity and logos, and sent WhatsApp messages to residents about the supposed winnings. The scammers were detected by CTM360. A company representative told Tribune that 15 accounts were identified in the past two months alone. IMO was also used by the fraudsters to conduct the fraud. 

“CTM360 was notified of several scams on WhatsApp and IMO using the brand identity of several leading financial institutions in the UAE and Bahrain. The reported scam accounts are tricking users into divulging the SMS verification code sent to the registered mobile numbers in order to take over the respective accounts, all under the guise that the victim has won a prize in a lucky draw competition. CTM360 launched an investigation into these numbers and the accounts associated with them on WhatsApp and IMO.”