“Emma” WhatsApp Scam: Police Urge Users to Beware of Account takeovers
Berlin – Police across Germany are issuing urgent warnings about a new WhatsApp scam dubbed “Emma” that grants fraudsters complete control of user accounts. The scam exploits a vulnerability where clicking a malicious link can allow attackers to hijack a WhatsApp account, possibly leading to financial loss and identity theft.
the “Emma” scam targets all WhatsApp users, capitalizing on the platform’s widespread use for both personal and professional dialog. Unlike previous scams focused on phishing for verification codes, this new method allows immediate account access, bypassing traditional two-factor authentication. Authorities report a surge in reported cases,emphasizing the critical need for vigilance.
Police advise users to recognize warning signs, such as suspicious domain names ending in “.top” or “.live,” websites lacking proper imprint data,and requests for phone numbers or verification codes. Scammers ofen use enticing messages or images to lure victims into clicking malicious links. Users can verify the authenticity of images using Google image Search.
Authorities strongly reccommend against clicking on any suspicious links received via WhatsApp and caution against sharing phone numbers or verification codes under any circumstances.If presented with unusual requests for money, individuals should independently verify the request by contacting the sender directly through a known, reliable channel – preferably by phone or in person.
WhatsApp is actively implementing new, AI-powered alerts to detect and warn users about potentially fraudulent messages, including automatic warnings for screen sharing requests. Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has also removed over 21,000 fake customer service sites designed to steal user data.
(Sources: Mimikama, Celle Police, SWR, Meta)
