MHA unit warns against frauds on WhatsApp

New Delhi, January 21

A police think-tank that functions under the Union Home Ministry has issued an advisory and alert against a variety of scams that take place on social media platform WhatsApp leading to cybercrimes and financial frauds.

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has identified seven types of frauds that includes tricking through missed calls, video calls, in the name of job offers and investment plans, impersonation, hijacking and screen share.

As part of the “hijacking” scam, the eight-page advisory-cum-alert said the scammers take unauthorised access to the victim’s WhatsApp account and request money from their contacts.

“Some people also witnessed WhatsApp video calls from unknown numbers. These were basically sextortion-based nude video calls which were then used to threaten the user. The hackers blackmail the user and ask for money in return,” the BPRD said in the communication. The BPRD is a think-tank on policing subjects under the Home Ministry.