WhatsApp hacking fraud rampant in Kerala; Police urge caution

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police warned about the widely spreading WhatsApp account hacking fraud in Kerala. Crimes such as hacking accounts and obtaining personal information, and financial fraud through impersonation are rampant in the state.

Fraudsters will either call the phone to gain trust or send an SMS/APK to the phone and obtain OTP documents. With this, WhatsApp accounts can be logged in on their phone or laptop. Even if the account owner tries to reinstall WhatsApp and use it again, WhatsApp will be inoperable for 12 to 24 hours without being able to enter the OTP. During this time, hackers will send fake messages to friends and relatives in the name of the owner, demanding money. They will also spread dangerous APK links and use them to hack other people's accounts.

👉To prevent such fraud, two-step verification should be set up on WhatsApp immediately.

👉Never share the OTP that comes on the phone with anyone else.

👉Never click on unknown links or APK files.

👉Do not reply to messages that seem suspicious.

👉If you notice fraud, you can call 1930

👉You can register complaints on the website https://cybercrime.gov.in.